Complementary feeding: what makes it important?

Complementary feeding (CF) is “the process starting when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of infants” so that “other foods and liquids are needed, along with breast milk CF marks a critical transition in infant nutrition, beginning when breast milk alone no longer meets the nutritional demands of growing infants. This typically occurs around six months of age, though physiological readiness—such as gastrointestinal and renal maturity—can begin as early as four months. Despite global recommendations, many infants, especially those who are formula-fed, are introduced to solids earlier than advised, often before four months. This trend is evident across various countries, including the US, Europe and Australia, raising concerns about nutritional adequacy and long-term health outcomes.