Complementary feeding of the infant: recommendations existing in Area V of Asturias (Spain)

Abstract

Introduction.
Recommendations regarding the introduction of complementary feeding for the infant has been changing. There is a subjective perception that consensus does not exist among the professionals regarding the recommendations given to the parents for introduction of different foods. 

Objective.
To know the feeding guidelines given in the Area V health care centers of Asturias.

Material and methods.
A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed. Recommendation sheets on complementary feedings received by the parents in the Area centers were collected and analyzed. The variables analyzed were age of introduction of cereal, fruit, continuation milk, vegetable, meat, fish, egg, vegetables and dairy products. Absolute and relative frequency and percentage were calculated for the statistical analysis. 

Results.
Only 15.4% of the centers recommend initiating gluten after 4 months in children who are breast feed. A total of 30.8% of the centers do not recommend against potentially metahemoglobin-forming vegetables when vegetable pure is introduced. White fish is introduced in 15.3% of the sites in the 8 th month, 38.5% in the 9th, 38.5% in the 10th and 7.7% in the 11 th month. Egg yolk is introduced in 7.7% of the centers in the 8 th months, 23.1% in the 9th, 23,1% in the 10th and 46.1% in the 11 th month. Cow milk is introduced in 7.7% of the centers in the 12 th month, 7.7% between the 15th and 18 th, 53.8% at 18 months and 30.8% do not mention when it should be introduced. 

Conclusions.
The study shows a striking disagreement in the introduction of foods among the different centers. Age of introduction of fish, egg yolk and dairy products is especially different. Only two centers have differences regarding age of introduction of gluten, depending on type of breast feeding. Some centers introduce metahemoglobinproducing vegetables at the beginning of the pure.