ABSTRACT
For many years it has been assumed that developing human infants are able to regulate their food intake using the same complex systems that control hunger and satiety of older children and adults. Given this assumption, it was considered safe to offer a wide range of nutrient intakes and rely on the infant’s appetite and feeding pattern to maintain a balanced intake of nutrients. This approach to nutritional management of infants was reinforced by the belief that, apart from the sequelae of inborn errors of metabolism, few adult health problems were related to nutritional disturbances experienced during early development. The fact that infants can grow well and remain healthy on many different diets has been justification to avoid micromanagement of their feeding activity.
