* Exclusive or full breast-feeding for about 6 months is a desirable goal. Complementary feeding should not be introduced in any infant before 17 weeks, and all infants should start complementary feeding by 26 weeks.
* The term ‘‘complementary feeding’’ should embrace all solid foods and liquids other than breast milk or infant formula and follow-on formula. The Committee suggests that including HMS as complementary foods is unhelpful and even confusing.
* Athough there are theoretical reasons why different complementary foods may have particular benefits for breast-fed or formula-fed infants, the Committee considers that attempts to devise and implement separate recommendations for breast-fed and formula-fed infants may present considerable practical difficulties and are therefore undesirable.
* Avoidance or delayed introduction of potentially allergenic foods, such as fish and eggs, has not been convincingly shown to reduce allergies, either in infants considered at risk for the development of allergy or in those not considered to be at risk.
* During the complementary feeding period, >90% of the iron requirements of a breast-fed infant must be met by complementary foods. These should provide sufficient bioavailable iron.
* Cow’s milk is a poor iron source. It should not be used as the main drink before 12 months, although small volumes may be added to complementary foods.
* It is prudent to avoid both early (<4 months) and late (>7 months) introduction of gluten and to introduce gluten gradually while the infant is still breast-fed because this may reduce the risk of CD, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and wheat allergy.
* Infants and young children receiving a vegetarian diet should receive a sufficient amount (~500 mL) of milk (breast milk or formula) and dairy products.
* Infants and young children should not receive a vegan diet.