The vast majority of authors agree on the fact that vegetarian and vegan weaning may cause severe nutritional deficiencies, whose detrimental effects are particularly significant in the early stages of life. Nine studies were suitable for the review process. Almost half of parents (45.2%) claim that their pediatrician was unable to provide sufficient information and adequate indications regarding unconventional weaning and 77.4% of parents reported the pediatrician's resistance towards alternative weaning methods. The breastfeeding duration was longer in vegetarian/vegan infants (15.8 vs. The narrative review was conducted searching scientific databases for articles reporting on vegetarian and vegan weaning.Ĩ.6% of mothers follow an alternative feeding regimen and 9.2% of infants were weaned according to a vegetarian or vegan diet. We investigated 360 Italian families using a 40-item questionnaire.

To assess the prevalence of vegetarian and vegan weaning among Italian families and to provide an up-to-date narrative review of supporting evidence. However, if not correctly managed, they may lead to wrong feeding regimens, causing severe nutritional deficiencies requiring specific nutritional support or even the need for hospitalization.

Vegetarian and vegan weaning have increasing popularity among parents and families.

Tabelle nutrizionali inran excel