The Early Introduction of Complementary (Solid) Foods: A Prospective Cohort Study of Infants in Chengdu, China.

Chuan Yu,Andy Lee,Colin Binns

doi:10.3390/nu11040760

Chuan Yu, Andy Lee + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11040760

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Journal: Nutrients	Publication Date: Apr 1, 2019
Citations: 11	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Sichuan University, Curtin University

Abstract

The objective of this study was to document the types of foods introduced to infants before six months of age and identify factors associated with their early introduction. A prospective cohort study of infant feeding for the first six months after birth was undertaken in the city of Chengdu, PR China. The participants were 845 mothers who delivered their infants in hospitals in Chengdu. Mothers were interviewed within 15 days of giving birth and were followed up with for six months. The outcome measures were the introduction of complementary foods to infants within four and six months postpartum. Complementary foods are defined as any food, whether manufactured or locally prepared, used as a complement to breast milk or infant formula. In this study the emphasis was on solids and not liquid foods. More than 94% of the infants were given complementary foods (semi-solid or solid foods) before the age of six months and 10% by four months. The most commonly introduced food was infant cereal, which was given to three quarters of the infants by six months. Multivariate analysis showed that maternal education level was a significant factor affecting the introduction of complementary foods before four months, adjusted odds ratio 2.983 (1.232–7.219), with the more educated mothers introducing complementary foods earlier. More antenatal and postnatal health promotion efforts are required to highlight the benefits of introducing solid foods later than is the current practice in Chengdu, at or close to six months of age. Further education is also required for training health professionals including pediatricians, midwives, and community health staff.

Highlights

Human infants require complementary foods at about six months of age to provide adequate nutrition during the transition from breast milk to a family diet
More antenatal and postnatal health promotion efforts are required to highlight the benefits of introducing solid foods later than is the current practice in Chengdu, at or close to six months of age
The aim of this study was to document the types of foods introduced to infants before six months of age in Chengdu, Western China, and to identify factors associated with their early introduction

Summary

Introduction

Human infants require complementary foods at about six months of age to provide adequate nutrition during the transition from breast milk to a family diet. This is unique among mammalian species and the period of complementary feeding typically covers the period from six to 24 months, even though mothers may well choose to continue breastfeeding beyond this period [1]. Despite its many nutritional attributes, beyond six months of age breast milk requires the addition of complementary foods to provide adequate nutrition for infants [1]. The introduction of complementary (solid) foods at around six months is important because early or late introduction can cause health difficulties for the infant.

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