Complementary Feeding Survey We Kindly Ask You to Answer the Following Questions. (You Can Indicate More Than One Answer per Question) * It is a Mandatory Question.

Gender *: ☐Male ☐Female ☐I prefer not to answer

Age *: ☐<30 years old ☐30–40 years old ☐40–50 years old ☐50–60 years old ☐>60 years old

What is your specialization? *: ☐Pediatrics ☐Other

During which occasion did you learn useful notions that you use for the setting up of a complementary feeding? *: ☐During university studies ☐Specific refresh courses ☐Scientific journals ☐Guidelines/position papers ☐Empirical methodology

In the time window between 4 and 6 completed months of age, when do you consider it appropriate to anticipate the start of complementary feeding? *: ☐In the case of exclusive breastfeeding and if a significant deviation of the stature–ponderal curve is observed (having reached the neurodevelopmental stages necessary for its initiation) ☐If exclusively formula milk is used and if a significant deviation of the stature–ponderal curve is observed (having reached the neurodevelopmental stages necessary for its initiation) ☐In the case of mixed-mode feeding (breastfeeding + formula milk) and if a significant deviation of the stature–ponderal curve is observed (having reached the neurodevelopmental stages necessary for its initiation) ☐In none of these cases ☐In all these cases

Considering the time window of 4 to 6 completed months of life, what aspects do you consider in postponing the start of complementary feeding? *: ☐Adequate human breast milk intake ☐Stature–ponderal curve without deflections ☐Family history of allergy ☐Family request

Are you aware of the complementary feeding methods called “baby-led weaning” and “on-demand complementary feeding”? *: ☐I am aware of the methodology defined as “baby-led weaning”. ☐I am aware of the methodology defined as “on-demand complementary feeding” ☐No, neither of them ☐Yes, both of them

What do you mean by “traditional weaning”? *: ☐Complementary feeding with food reduced into cream/puree, offering the first meal with cream of rice/corn/tapioca and vegetables ☐Complementary feeding with food reduced into cream/puree, offering the first meal with cream of rice/corn/tapioca, vegetables, and meat or fish ☐Complementary feeding with food reduced into cream/puree, offering the first meal with cream of rice/corn/tapioca, vegetables, meat or fish, and cheese ☐Complementary feeding with the initial introduction of baby food made of fruit ☐Complementary feeding with the introduction of food in small pieces, according to what is consumed by other family members

If you are aware, what do you mean by “on-demand complementary feeding” and “baby-led weaning”? *: ☐Alternative methods of complementary feeding in which the child eats alone with the use of a spoon/fork the food in the original form prepared by the parents ☐Alternative methods of complementary feeding in which the child decides which and how many solid foods to eat in the form of finger foods, sitting at the table with the family ☐Alternative complementary feeding methods in which the child decides how much of the “traditional weaning” foods to eat at the time of day he wishes ☐Alternative methods of complementary feeding in which the child, in addition to taking baby foods and/or pureed foods, occasionally takes foods reduced to small pieces

Which method do you usually recommend to caregivers to undertake complementary feeding? *: ☐Traditional weaning ☐Sweet milk flour ☐Baby-led weaning ☐On-demand complementary feeding ☐Traditional spoon-feeding with adult food tastings

Based on your clinical experience, which approach to complementary feeding is most often requested by caregivers? *: ☐Traditional weaning ☐Sweet milk flour ☐Baby-led weaning ☐On-demand complementary feeding ☐Traditional spoon-feeding with adult food tastings

Which percentage of caregivers request to undertake complementary feeding of their child with “baby-led weaning” or “on-demand complementary feeding”? *: ☐<10% ☐10–25% ☐25–50% ☐50–75% ☐75–100%

At how many months of age do you usually recommend the start of complementary feeding in the case of exclusive breastfeeding? *: ☐Before 4 months of age ☐4–6 months of age ☐After 7 months of age

At how many months of age do you usually recommend the start of complementary feeding in the case of exclusive use of formula milk? *: ☐Before 4 months of age ☐4–6 months of age ☐After 7 months of age

At how many months of age do you usually recommend the start of complementary feeding in the case of mixed-mode feeding (breastfeeding + formula milk) ☐Before 4 months of age ☐4–6 months of age ☐After 7 months of age

What leads you to the decision to start complementary feeding? *: ☐Reaching neurodevelopmental milestones ☐Nutritional needs ☐Family compliance ☐Weight gain of the child ☐All the above cases

Which aspects do you consider anticipating the start of complementary feeding? *: ☐Type of feeding performed in previous months ☐Weight-related growth curve changes judged inadequate ☐Infant disorders (e.g., GERD) ☐Request by the family ☐Risk of nutritional deficiencies (e.g., iron)

In the case of patients of foreign ethnicity, which schemes do you use to undertake complementary feeding? *: ☐According to local customs ☐According to the customs of the respective culture ☐Seeking discussion and mediation with caregivers and their customs

Do you usually discuss with caregivers on which recommendations to follow regarding complementary feeding and its administration? *: ☐Yes, always ☐Yes, if requested by caregivers ☐Yes, but only in the case of criticalities highlighted during medical examinations ☐No

Do you provide schemes and written information to families about complementary feeding? *: ☐Yes, always, customized ☐Yes, always, pre-printed ☐Yes, if requested by caregivers ☐Yes, but only in the case of critical issues highlighted during medical examinations ☐No

Do you usually recommend the use of “baby foods”? *: ☐Yes ☐No

Do the parents of the children you assist generally adhere to the recommendations you give to them? *: ☐Yes, completely (100%) ☐Almost completely (75–100%) ☐The majority (50–75%) ☐A minority (25–50%) ☐Usually not (0–25%)

Do you support complementary feeding based on vegetarian or plant-based diets? *: ☐Yes, in any case ☐Yes, but only if diets are planned by a specialist ☐No, in any case ☐No, only if expressly requested by caregivers

Do you support complementary feeding based on a vegan diet? *: ☐Yes, in any case ☐Yes, but only if diets are planned by a specialist ☐No, in any case ☐No, only if expressly requested by caregivers

In the case of complementary feeding based on a vegan diet, which additional supplements do you consider necessary (in addition to those usually recommended for children receiving an omnivorous diet)? *: ☐Vitamin B12, folic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid ☐Vitamin B12, folic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and iron ☐Vitamin B12 and, in case of deficiency, folic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and iron ☐Vitamin B12 and, in case of deficiency, folic acid ☐No additional supplementation

What is the first kind of food you recommend starting complementary feeding routinely? *: ☐Cereals or cereal-derived products ☐Meat or meat-derived products ☐Fruit or fruit-derived products ☐Fish or fish-derived products ☐Vegetables or vegetable-derived products

In children with a family history of food allergy, what recommendations do you provide regarding the introduction of eggs and fish? *: ☐Beyond 12 months of age ☐From 4 months of age, preferably during breastfeeding ☐From 6 months of age, preferably during breastfeeding ☐From 6 months of age ☐I recommend avoiding these foods and I suggest an allergological examination

In your opinion, at what age it is possible to add salt to foods and/or food preparations into a child’s diet? (healthy subjects) *: ☐From the beginning of the complementary feeding period ☐Between 9 and 12 months of age ☐1–2 years old ☐2–3 years old ☐Beyond 3 years old

In your opinion, at what age it is possible to add sugar to foods and/or food preparations into a child’s diet? (healthy subjects) *: ☐From the beginning of the complementary feeding period ☐Between 9 and 12 months of age ☐1–2 years old ☐2–3 years old ☐Beyond 3 years old

In your opinion, at what age is it appropriate to introduce cow’s milk into a child’s diet? ☐From the beginning of the complementary feeding period ☐Between 9 and 12 months of age ☐1–2 years old ☐2–3 years old ☐Beyond 3 years old

In your opinion, at what age is it appropriate to introduce eggs into a child’s diet? ☐4–6 months of age ☐6–7 months of age ☐7–8 months of age ☐11–12 months of age ☐Beyond 12 months of age

In your opinion, at what age is it appropriate to introduce gluten into a child’s diet? ☐4–6 months of age ☐6–7 months of age ☐7–8 months of age ☐11–12 months of age ☐Beyond 12 months of age

In your opinion, at what age is it appropriate to introduce fish into a child’s diet? ☐4–6 months of age ☐6–7 months of age ☐7–8 months of age ☐11–12 months of age ☐Beyond 12 months of age

In your opinion, at what age is it appropriate to introduce dried fruit into a child’s diet? ☐4–6 months of age ☐6–7 months of age ☐7–8 months of age ☐11–12 months of age ☐Beyond 12 months of age

In your opinion, at what age is it appropriate to introduce soy into a child’s diet? ☐4–6 months of age ☐6–7 months of age ☐7–8 months of age ☐11–12 months of age ☐Beyond 12 months of age