Complementary feeding introduction methods and pediatric feeding disorder in the first year of life: a randomized clinical trial

Purpose  To investigate whether the method of introducing complementary feeding (CF) is related to pediatric feeding disorders (PFD) in the first year of life.

Methods  Clinical trial with 128 mother-child pairs randomized into intervention groups by CF methods: traditional, Baby-Led Introduction to Solids (BLISS), or mixed. The intervention was carried out at the infants’ 5 and a half months of age in an experimental kitchen with meals prepared according to the randomized method. Follow-up was conducted at their 7 and 9 months of age. At 12 months, the Brazilian Child Feeding Scale (EBAI) was applied to screen for PFD. This study was registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBEC).

Results  PFD was present in 16 (12.5%) children: 5 (3.9%) from the traditional method (3 with mild PFD and 2 with severe PFD), 9 (7%) from the BLISS method (5 with mild PFD, 2 with moderate PFD, and 2 with severe PFD), and 2 (1.6%) from the mixed method (both with mild PFD). In the analysis of the 14 EBAI questions, the responses tended towards the adequate and/or favorable aspects across all CF methods, with no statistically significant differences.

Conclusion  PFD was not influenced by the CF method in the study sample.

Keywords:
Feeding Behavior; Infant; Child Feeding; Complementary Feeding; Feeding Methods