Premium
Factors associated with the age of introduction of solids into the diet of New Zealand infants
Author(s) -
FORD RPK,
SCHLUTER PJ,
MITCHELL EA
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1754.1995.tb00860.x
Subject(s) - medicine , total dissolved solids , pediatrics , engineering , environmental engineering
Objective : To describe the current timing of the introduction of solids in infancy and the factors influencing the decision to introduce solids. Methodology : Eighteen hundred infants were selected randomly as part of the New Zealand Cot Death Study. Of these, 88% of the parent/caregivers were interviewed when their infant was aged between 1 and 12 months. They were asked when solids were first introduced into the diet. Results : By 12 weeks of age more than 20% of infants had been given solids; by 16 weeks and by 6 months 50 and 90% of babies, respectively, had been given solids. Maternal smoking, low educational achievement and not being breast‐fed exclusively to 4 weeks of age were factors which were strongly associated with the early introduction of solids. Conclusion : Half of New Zealand infants are being started on solids earlier than is presently recommended. More education is needed to promote the later introduction of solid foods into the diet.