Complementary feeding: current recommendations.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) currently recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age and beyond if possible. The period between 6 and 24 months is known as the complementary feeding period. In 2003 WHO published recommendations for complementary feeding of the breastfed child. These guidelines specify the amount and frequency of feeding, energy content, preferential foods, and hygiene practices for safe food preparation. The purpose of this article is to review WHO guidelines for complementary feeding, explain the rationale underlying their adoption, and provide additional information about feeding of nonbreastfed child.