The article "Complementary Feeding: Tradition, Innovation and Pitfalls" by Maria Elena Capra et al. provides a comprehensive review of complementary feeding (CF) practices, both traditional and innovative, and their impact on infant health. CF is defined as the process where breast milk or infant formula alone is no longer sufficient to meet an infant's nutritional needs, necessitating the introduction of other foods and liquids. The timing and approach to solid foods are crucial, as they can influence epigenetic factors that affect health from infancy to adulthood. The authors discuss the influence of cultural and family traditions on CF practices, emphasizing the importance of healthcare professionals supporting parents' choices while ensuring adequate nutrition and development. The article highlights the benefits of breastfeeding and the role of infant formula in meeting nutritional needs. It also reviews traditional CF practices, such as starting solid foods at 6 months, and the recent trend towards innovative approaches like baby-led weaning and plant-based weaning. These alternative methods aim to promote better eating behaviors and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity and type 1 diabetes. The authors also address the challenges and pitfalls in CF, including the risk of early introduction, inadequate nutrition, and choking hazards. They emphasize the need for healthcare professionals to provide guidance and support to parents, especially when dealing with alternative CF choices. The review includes a detailed discussion of CF practices in preterm infants, plant-based diets, and the potential health risks associated with different CF strategies. Overall, the article underscores the importance of a balanced and individualized approach to CF, considering factors such as maternal age, educational level, and socioeconomic status, to ensure optimal infant health and development.The article "Complementary Feeding: Tradition, Innovation and Pitfalls" by Maria Elena Capra et al. provides a comprehensive review of complementary feeding (CF) practices, both traditional and innovative, and their impact on infant health. CF is defined as the process where breast milk or infant formula alone is no longer sufficient to meet an infant's nutritional needs, necessitating the introduction of other foods and liquids. The timing and approach to solid foods are crucial, as they can influence epigenetic factors that affect health from infancy to adulthood. The authors discuss the influence of cultural and family traditions on CF practices, emphasizing the importance of healthcare professionals supporting parents' choices while ensuring adequate nutrition and development. The article highlights the benefits of breastfeeding and the role of infant formula in meeting nutritional needs. It also reviews traditional CF practices, such as starting solid foods at 6 months, and the recent trend towards innovative approaches like baby-led weaning and plant-based weaning. These alternative methods aim to promote better eating behaviors and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity and type 1 diabetes. The authors also address the challenges and pitfalls in CF, including the risk of early introduction, inadequate nutrition, and choking hazards. They emphasize the need for healthcare professionals to provide guidance and support to parents, especially when dealing with alternative CF choices. The review includes a detailed discussion of CF practices in preterm infants, plant-based diets, and the potential health risks associated with different CF strategies. Overall, the article underscores the importance of a balanced and individualized approach to CF, considering factors such as maternal age, educational level, and socioeconomic status, to ensure optimal infant health and development.