Estimated Nutrients Intake in Complementary Feeding Methods in Brazilian infants: Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Abstract Background Inadequate nutrient intake is a common problem in the introduction of complementary feeding (CF), which can impair healthy infant growth. Methods To analyze nutrient intake in infants submitted to three different CF methods, it was conducted a randomized clinical trial comparing complementary feeding methods in mother-infant pairs. The mothers received at 5.5 months of the child an intervention on one of three distinct CF methods: (A) strict Parent-Led Weaning (PLW); (B) strict Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS); and (C) a mixed method. The pairs were followed up at nine months, and 12–17 months of age. Food consumption was assessed by a 24-h dietary recall at nine and 12–17 months. Quantile regression was used to estimate the differences between the groups in nutrient intake. The research was approved by the Ethics Committee. Results A total of 127 infants were evaluated at nine months and 113 at 12–17 months. Mostly, PLW, BLISS, and mixed CF methods provided similar amounts of macronutrients and micronutrients. At nine months, infants randomized to the Mixed method had higher vitamin B9 intake compared to the other methods (p = 0.049). Infants fed by mixed method consumed significantly fewer carbohydrates (p = 0.033) and less total fiber (p < 0.001) at 12 and 17 months. Conclusions Infants following PLW, BLISS, or mixed showed predominantly similar amounts of nutrient intake. Trial registration: The trial was registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) with identifier [RBR-229scm U1111-1226-9516], [https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-229scm]. The full data of the first registration was on 24/09/2019.