Factors associated with weaning practices in term infants: a prospective observational study in Ireland

Abstract

The WHO (2001) recommends exclusive breast-feeding and delaying the introduction of solid foods to an infant's diet until 6 months postpartum. However, in many countries, this recommendation is followed by few mothers, and earlier weaning onto solids is a commonly reported global practice. Therefore, this prospective, observational study aimed to assess compliance with the WHO recommendation and examine weaning practices, including the timing of weaning of infants, and to investigate the factors that predict weaning at # 12 weeks. From an initial sample of 539 pregnant women recruited from the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, 401 eligible mothers were followed up at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Quantitative data were obtained on mothers' weaning practices using semi-structured questionnaires and a short dietary history of the infant's usual diet at 6 months. Only one mother (0·2 %) complied with the WHO recommendation to exclusively breastfeed up to 6 months. Ninety-one (22·6 %) infants were prematurely weaned onto solids at # 12 weeks with predictive factors after adjustment, including mothers' antenatal reporting that infants should be weaned onto solids at #12 weeks, formula feeding at 12 weeks and mothers' reporting of the maternal grandmother as the principal source of advice on infant feeding. Mothers who weaned their infants at # 12 weeks were more likely to engage in other sub-optimal weaning practices, including the addition of non-recommended condiments to their infants' foods. Provision of professional advice and exploring antenatal maternal misperceptions are potential areas for targeted interventions to improve compliance with the recommended weaning practices.

A study of early complementary feeding determinants in the Republic of Ireland based on a cross-sectional analysis of the Growing Up in Ireland infant cohort

“…These figures differ from the prevalence found in previous studies in Ireland, where 22?6 % of babies were introduced to complementary feeding earlier than 12 weeks and 75?0 % at #17 weeks (16) . This is probably due to the difference in definitions used in the study by Tarrant et al in 2010 and the GUI study.…”

“…Although infant's gender was captured in the database, in the present study trends of early complementary feeding introduction in the ROI have been studied for boys and girls together, in line with previous studies (16,22) . Data are also provided for the prevalence of early introduction of solids by gender.…”

“…The question has been used in our multivariate model to capture health attitudes towards pregnancy without making a distinction on whether the synthetic or natural form of the vitamin was utilized. This question was asked through the computer-assisted personal interview method.Although infant's gender was captured in the database, in the present study trends of early complementary feeding introduction in the ROI have been studied for boys and girls together, in line with previous studies (16,22) . Data are also provided for the prevalence of early introduction of solids by gender.…”

“…However, both ESPGHAN and FSAI coincide in defining *Corresponding author: Email domingup@tcd.ie r The Authors 2014 the introduction of solids at ,17 weeks as early complementary feeding. Despite these recommendations, Irish studies show rates of exclusive breast-feeding for 6 months of less than 1 %, with 75?0% of infants being introduced to complementary feeding before 17 weeks and 22?6 % of these being weaned prematurely by 12 weeks (16,22) . However, if parents are to be encouraged to delay the introduction of solids until near 6 months of age, it is important to know their reasons for introducing solids earlier.…”

Breastfeeding profile and practice of Nigerian mothers: a cross-sectional survey

“…However, poor feeding habit with consequent nutritional deficiency and failure to thrive have been linked with delay weaning of infant. [64][65][66] The onset of water administration as complementary to breastfeeding in this study was approximately five months. 30.3% of the mothers administered water within 1-3 months, while 58.7% administered water after 6 months of the infant's life.…”