World Health Organization (WHO) guideline on the complementary feeding of infants and young children aged 6-23 months 2023: A multisociety response

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2024 Jul;79(1):181-188. doi: 10.1002/jpn3.12248. Epub 2024 May 14.

Abstract

The recent World Health Organization (WHO) guideline aims to provide evidence-based recommendations on complementary feeding (CF) of healthy term infants and young children 6-23 months living in low-, middle-, and high-income countries, including both breastfed and non-breastfed children. Like WHO, our organizations aim to promote optimal infant and young child nutrition and health, with a focus on promoting breastfeeding as well as appropriate and timely CF. In this paper, we share our concerns about aspects of the guideline, some of which may have the potential to cause unintended harm in infants and young children and suggest alternative or modified proposals.

Keywords: animal milk; breastfeeding; complementary foods; food allergy; recommendation.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Feeding*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*
  • Nutrition Policy
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • World Health Organization*

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