Survey of Different Modes of Weaning in Pediatric Population

Infant weaning refers to the transition from a diet based on the exclusive intake of milk (mother's milk or formula) to a diversified diet that is complete with all the nutrients necessary for proper infant development. For this purpose, a diet supplementary to milk, which is gradually reduced, is undertaken in order to gradually acquire the dietary pattern followed by the family.

There are different types of weaning, which vary according to traditions, ethnicity and scientific currents. These include traditional weaning and on-demand self-weaning. The former consists of weaning with specific infant foods (example: freeze-dried, homogenized, vegetable broth, creams..) offered at set doses, quantities, and times. On the other hand, 'autodivezzamento on demand is a mode of weaning entrusted to the child's request, leaving the child to choose quantities and types of food, even prepared at home, during family meals. The aim of our study is to establish the prevalence of different modes of weaning and the perception of advantages and disadvantages related to them by parents and Free Choice Pediatricians by means of two different dedicated questionnaires. The study also aims to assess possible risks resulting from the transition to complementary feeding, for example, errors in feeding or inhalation of foreign bodies.