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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026 | Viewed by 5127

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Maureen M. Black

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Guest Editor

Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Interests: nutrition and child development; early child development; parenting interventions; nurturing care; food insecurity; obesity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jigna M. Dharod

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Guest Editor

Department of Nutrition, School of Health and Human Sciences, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA
Interests: food and nutrition security; infant feeding; health disparities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Childhood overweight and obesity are global concerns that can amplify low productivity and increase healthcare expenditure by raising children’s risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular problems, including poor psychosocial health. Obesity prevention and treatment trials introduced during school age have had limited sustainable impacts, leading to recommendations that health promotion and obesity prevention be initiated during infancy and toddlerhood.

Growth patterns established during infancy and toddlerhood are foundational in children’s subsequent growth and development. Children who experience rapid weight gain during their first two years are at an elevated risk of facing lifelong overweight and obesity. Recommendations for feeding practices for infants based on the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans include breast milk for the first six months, followed by complementary feeding at approximately six months, and the continuation of breast milk in a nurturant context that is responsive to infants’ hunger and satiety cues. Recommendations for toddlers include providing a variety of nutrient-rich foods in a daily routine of three meals and two to three snacks, listening to toddlers’ hunger and fullness cues, making mealtime pleasant by eating together, and avoiding pressuring toddlers to eat or using food as a reward or punishment. Across the world, modifiable conditions, including political, environmental, economic, and family factors may either challenge or promote optimal infant and toddler feeding. For this Special Issue exploring infant and toddler feeding practices, we welcome a wide variety of papers that incorporate the contextual aspects of feeding related to growth and development outcomes, addressing both food and feeding, including, but not limited to, the following topics:

Determinants of early weight gain;
Observational or interventional designs;
Quantitative or qualitative methods;
Breast milk from the breast vs. from the bottle;
Breast milk vs. formula;
Infant and toddler feeding and policy implications;
Infant and toddler feeding and child care centers;
National and global studies;
Well-designed implementation studies, regardless of impact;
Cross-sectional and longitudinal designs;
Social and cultural aspects of infant food and feeding practices;
Feeding practices, appetite, development and growth;
Responsive feeding in the context of nurturing care;
Infant feeding and father perspectives and influences;
Infant and toddler feeding decisions and food companies;
Infant and toddler feeding and maternal health and well-being;
Infant and toddler feeding, health and development.

Prof. Dr. Maureen M. Black
Dr. Jigna M. Dharod
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

milk-feeding
complementary foods
feeding styles
self-regulation
growth
development

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 560 KB

Open AccessArticle

The First Foods Qualitative Study: Using the Developmental Niche Framework to Understand Caregiver and Infant Feeding Interactions During the Complementary Feeding Period

by Susan L. Johnson, Katherine J. Barrett, Kameron J. Moding and Catherine A. Forestell

Nutrients 2026, 18(7), 1121; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18071121 - 31 Mar 2026

Viewed by 408

Abstract

Objectives: The transition to complementary feeding represents an important interval in child nutrition and development. Nutrient demands for growth are high, yet less is known regarding how caregivers make decisions regarding the introduction of solid foods to their infants and what influences their choices and feeding practices. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom with caregivers (N = 46, 83% mothers) of typically developing children (6–24 months of age) residing in the United States. A content analytic approach, with consensus coding performed by team members, was undertaken. The Developmental Niche framework guided thematic analysis. Results: Four major themes and four subthemes were identified: (1) Caregivers’ Approach Introducing Solid Foods with Anticipation and Concern, including subthemes of the (a) timing and order of complementary foods (CF) offered to children and (b) foods caregivers avoid offering; (2) Caregivers’ and Children’s Learning, including subthemes of (a) children’s rapid learning and skill development, and (b) the concurrent rapid demands for changes in food parenting; (3) Drivers of Caregivers’ Decisions Related to Offering Solid Foods to their Children; and (4) The Goal of CF: Integration of the Child into Family Mealtimes. Conclusions: Caregivers seek to provide adequate nutrition while balancing children’s health needs with the challenge of encouraging acceptance of family foods and respecting individual preferences. Juggling myriad demands (e.g., time, convenience, other family members, cultural traditions, and expectations), caregivers seek to help their children develop a healthy relationship with food. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infant and Toddler Feeding and Development)

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13 pages, 237 KB

Open AccessArticle

by Marcelina Porożyńska and Anna Weronika Szablewska

Nutrients 2026, 18(3), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18030447 - 29 Jan 2026

Viewed by 932

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, but exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates remain low in many countries, including Poland. Factors related to pregnancy, childbirth and the organisation of care can significantly affect the maintenance of lactation. There is a lack of representative data on these relationships in Poland, which makes it difficult to plan effective support measures. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between pregnancy and perinatal factors and exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 6 to 12 months. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey was conducted between April and October 2025. A total of 557 women aged ≥18 years with infants aged 6–12 months participated in the research. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, the course of pregnancy and childbirth, postpartum complications, early breastfeeding experiences and maternal birth satisfaction assessed using the Polish version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale—Revised (BSS-R). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding up to six months. Results: Exclusive breastfeeding was significantly associated with vaginal delivery, the absence of postpartum complications and a lack of early breastfeeding problems in the first days postpartum, with initial lactation difficulties emerging as its strongest predictor. Most specific pregnancy-related conditions, maternal birth satisfaction and selected recommended hospital practices, including early skin-to-skin contact, were not independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding in the model. Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months is primarily determined by factors operating in the immediate perinatal and early postpartum period, particularly postpartum clinical stability and successful early lactation. Targeted support during this critical window may be key to improving exclusive breastfeeding outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infant and Toddler Feeding and Development)

18 pages, 484 KB

Open AccessArticle

Trace Element Intake from Dairy-Free Infant Porridges and Its Nutritional and Safety Implications for Infants Aged Six Months and Older

by Zuzanna Chronchol, Agata Witczak and Kamila Pokorska-Niewiada

Nutrients 2026, 18(2), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020333 - 20 Jan 2026

Viewed by 550

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Following the cessation of breastfeeding, cereal-based complementary foods are commonly introduced into the diet of infants. Among these products, dairy-free infant porridges constitute an important component of early complementary feeding. This study aimed to evaluate dietary exposure to selected essential (Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu) and potentially toxic (Pb, Cd, and Hg) trace elements resulting from the consumption of dairy-free infant porridges by children aged six months and older. Products with different cereal compositions available on the Polish market were analyzed. Methods: Trace element concentrations were determined after microwave-assisted digestion using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and atomic absorption spectrometry for mercury (Hg-AAS). Results: A single recommended serving of dairy-free infant porridge contributed to the intake of essential trace elements, providing approximately 50% of the RDA for copper, 21% for zinc, 15% of the AI for manganese, and 5.7% of the RDA for iron. The concentrations of potentially harmful elements were low (Pb: 0.002–0.004 mg/kg; Cd: <0.001–0.003 mg/kg; Hg: <0.001–0.001 mg/kg). The estimated daily intake of these elements did not exceed 0.01 µg/kg body weight per day. Conclusions: Dairy-free infant porridges may contribute to the intake of essential trace elements in infants, while exposure to lead, cadmium, and mercury appears to remain low when products are consumed according to recommended serving sizes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infant and Toddler Feeding and Development)

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16 pages, 600 KB

Open AccessArticle

Stunting Among HIV-Exposed and HIV-Free Children in eSwatini: A Retrospective Evaluation of Associations with Birthweight, Feeding, and Caregiving Practices

by Bareng A. S. Nonyane, Letha Varughese, Jigna M. Dharod, Xolisile Dlamini, Andrea Ruff and Maureen M. Black

Nutrients 2026, 18(2), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020198 - 8 Jan 2026

Viewed by 590

Abstract

Background/Objectives. Associations between stunting and dietary practices have been understudied among HIV-exposed and HIV-free children. We investigated associations between birthweight, socio-demographics, and dietary and feeding practices with stunting at 9 and 18 months among children in eSwatini. Methods. We used generalized linear mixed models (GLMs) with a logit link to characterize associations between stunting and birthweight quartiles, socio-demographics, maternal characteristics, and infant dietary diversity scores. We examined the moderating effects of dietary factors on relations between birthweight and stunting. Generalized structural equation models characterized direct and indirect associations between exposures and stunting at 18 months, mediated through stunting at 9 months. Results. We included 367 HIV-exposed and HIV-free children. Infants in the third and fourth birthweight quartiles had reduced odds of stunting at 9 months [adjusted odds ratio (adj OR) 0.24 (IQR 0.11, 0.55), p < 0.001; 0.10 (0.03, 0.33), p < 0.001, respectively]. Moderation by dietary diversity was limited to a relative decline in the second birthweight quartile. Stunting prevalence significantly increased from 9 months (21%) to 18 months (37%). Mediated by stunting at 9 months, there were significant direct and indirect effects of birthweight and dietary diversity on stunting at 18 months. Conclusions. Among HIV-exposed and HIV-free children, stunting prevalence increased with age and was associated with lower birthweight. Dietary diversity attenuated stunting risk among children in the second birthweight quartile. Prenatal strategies to reduce low birth weight (LBW) and additional attention to the social determinants of health, particularly dietary diversity, are warranted in programs and policies to reduce stunting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infant and Toddler Feeding and Development)

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24 pages, 684 KB

Open AccessArticle

“What Do You Need?” Formative Research to Develop a Comprehensive Maternal Needs Assessment Tool for Infant and Young Child Nourishment and Care in the United States

by Mercy Eloho Sosanya, Laura Birgit Mueller, Caleb Martin and Jennifer L. Temple

Nutrients 2025, 17(24), 3825; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17243825 - 6 Dec 2025

Viewed by 800

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Despite substantial healthcare spending, U.S. mothers encounter fragmented support systems for infant feeding, care, and maternal mental health. While existing needs assessment instruments target parents of ill or preterm infants, no validated tool captures the full range of informational, psychosocial, and structural needs among mothers of healthy, full-term infants. This formative mixed-methods study sought to identify and prioritize maternal needs across multiple socioecological levels to guide the development of a comprehensive Maternal Needs Assessment Tool (MNAT). Methods: Guided by the socioecological model, six virtual focus groups were conducted with U.S. mothers of healthy infants < 2 years (analytic sample = 28). Thematic analysis in ATLAS.ti (Version 25) identified key needs, which informed the creation of a 10-domain Maternal Needs Assessment Ranking Questionnaire (MNARQ). Participants (n = 22) rated each domain’s importance on a five-point scale; weighted mean ranks were calculated in SPSS (Version 30). Results: Seven overarching themes across ten domains emerged: infant and young child feeding and care, maternal psychosocial wellbeing, parenting knowledge and skills, interpersonal and community support, institutional assistance, and work-policy environments. The highest-ranked domains of need were complementary feeding, child development, care and health, social norms, networking and support, maternal mental health, and breastfeeding guidance. Mothers described pervasive informational confusion, inadequate professional and peer support, and institutional barriers such as limited postpartum follow-up, inflexible daycare policies, and WIC hurdles in formula substitution for infants with allergies. Conclusions: Maternal needs encompass intersecting personal, social, and structural factors. Findings will inform the development and validation of a national Maternal Needs Assessment Tool to guide integrated maternal and child health programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infant and Toddler Feeding and Development)

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12 pages, 434 KB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Pressure and Frequent Use of Bottle During Feeding Moderate Infant Food Cue Reactivity over Time

by Lenka H. Shriver, Yu Chen, Cheryl Buehler, Laurie Wideman and Esther M. Leerkes

Nutrients 2025, 17(22), 3605; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17223605 - 18 Nov 2025

Viewed by 834

Abstract

Background: Food cue reactivity (FCR) has been associated with a higher obesity risk, but little is known about what factors influence FCR during infancy. This study examined the moderating effects of maternal feeding styles and bottle feeding on the associations between 2-month and 6-month FCR. Methods: Data came from 299 mother–infant dyads who participated in a larger early-obesity-risk study and provided information via online questionnaires (i.e., socio-demographics) and/or during lab visits (i.e., anthropometrics) prenatally and at 2 and 6 months postpartum. Food-related practices (i.e., bottle use, milk type), feeding styles and FCR were measured by previously validated mother-reported measures: Infant Feeding Practices, Infant Feeding Styles, and Baby Eating Behavior Questionnaires. A regression model with moderation effects between 2-month FCR, feeding styles, and bottle feeding on 6-month FCR was tested using Mplus, controlling for selected variables (i.e., milk type, infant birthweight). Maternal pressure interacted with 2-month FCR and bottle feeding to predict 6-month FCR. Results: The moderating role of higher pressure was significant only for infants who received most of their feeds via a bottle (“high” bottle feeding). No other interactions were significant. Maternal feeding pressure in combination with frequent bottle feeding further strengthens the positive association between early and late FCR in infancy. Conclusions: Given the previously established links between FCR and weight outcomes among children, reducing the controlling maternal feeding practice of pressure during feeding in infancy, especially among mothers who frequently bottle feed, might be an important intervention target for optimizing weight outcomes in the first year of life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infant and Toddler Feeding and Development)

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Review

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10 pages, 225 KB

Open AccessReview

Beyond “It’s Just a Phase”: A Review of Picky Eating in Children

by Pedro Alarcon and Yvan Vandenplas

Nutrients 2026, 18(8), 1247; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18081247 - 15 Apr 2026

Viewed by 232

Abstract

Picky eating is one of the most frequent feeding problems in childhood and is often dismissed as a normal developmental phase. Despite a steadily expanding body of research, uncertainty persists regarding its clinical relevance, assessment, and management. This review synthesizes recent evidence on picky eating in children, with a specific focus on definitions, epidemiology, developmental trajectories, underlying mechanisms, clinical impact, and interventions. Reliance on broad definitions and prevalence estimates has obscured clinically meaningful distinctions between transient, developmentally typical food selectivity and persistent patterns associated with nutritional risk, functional impairment, and family stress. Drawing on contemporary data, we propose a continuum-based, phenotype-oriented framework that emphasizes persistence, severity, and functional impact rather than food refusal alone. Advances in understanding picky eating have not consistently translated into improved clinical care, highlighting persistent gaps in implementation, access, and dissemination of evidence-based feeding guidance. Finally, we outline priorities for future research and practice aimed at improving outcomes for children with clinically relevant picky eating. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infant and Toddler Feeding and Development)

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