Factors associated with the early emergence of atypical feeding behaviours in infants and young children: A scoping review.

The review includes studies of varying quality, with 6 rated as low quality. Many studies relied on parental reports for exposure and outcome data, which may be biased. There was a lack of a universally accepted definition for 'picky eating' or 'atypical feeding behaviours', leading to inconsistent measurement across studies. Confounding factors such as parental mental health, socioeconomic status, and child temperament were not always controlled for in the included studies. The evidence is largely observational, so causality cannot be established for most associations. Breastfeeding findings are complicated by potential reverse causation (feeding difficulties leading to cessation of breastfeeding).

No conflicts of interest or funding sources were explicitly declared in the provided text.

Do not interpret the associations with breastfeeding or solid food timing as causal evidence that specific practices will prevent feeding difficulties. The evidence is inconsistent and largely observational, with potential confounding by parental factors and reverse causation. Clinical advice should be tailored to the individual child's sensory profile and developmental stage rather than applied as a universal rule.