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American Academy of Pediatrics
Article

Prevalence and Reasons for Introducing Infants Early to Solid Foods: Variations by Milk Feeding Type

Heather B. Clayton, Ruowei Li, Cria G. Perrine and Kelley S. Scanlon
Pediatrics April 2013, 131 (4) e1108-e1114; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-2265
Heather B. Clayton
aEpidemic Intelligence Service, Office of Workforce Development, and
bDivision of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Ruowei Li
bDivision of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Cria G. Perrine
bDivision of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Kelley S. Scanlon
bDivision of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of, and mothers’ self-reported reasons for, introducing solid foods to infants earlier than recommended (aged <4 months) and the variation in reasons for early introduction by milk feeding type.

METHODS: The study included 1334 mothers who participated in the national longitudinal Infant Feeding Practices Study II (2005–2007). Monthly 7-day food-frequency questions throughout infancy were used to determine infant age at solid food introduction and to classify infant’s milk feeding at introduction as breast milk only, formula only, or mixed. Reasons for introducing solid foods at age <4 months were assessed through maternal responses to a list of 12 potential reasons. Analyses included descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS: Overall, 40.4% of mothers introduced solid foods before age 4 months. Prevalence varied by milk feeding type (24.3%, 52.7%, and 50.2% for breastfed, formula-fed, and mixed-fed infants, respectively). The most commonly cited reasons for early introduction of solid food were as follows: “My baby was old enough,” “My baby seemed hungry,” “I wanted to feed my baby something in addition to breast milk or formula,” “My baby wanted the food I ate,” “A doctor or other health care professional said my baby should begin eating solid food,” and “It would help my baby sleep longer at night.” Four of these reasons varied by milk feeding type.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the high prevalence of early introduction of solids and provide details on why mothers introduced solid foods early.

  • nutrition
  • infant
  • breastfeeding
  • Abbreviations:
    AAP —
    American Academy of Pediatrics
    aOR —
    adjusted odds ratio
    CI —
    confidence interval
    IFPS II —
    Infant Feeding Practices Study II
    WIC —
    Women, Infants, and Children
    • Accepted December 12, 2012.

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    Pediatrics
    Vol. 131, Issue 4
    1 Apr 2013
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    Prevalence and Reasons for Introducing Infants Early to Solid Foods: Variations by Milk Feeding Type
    Heather B. Clayton, Ruowei Li, Cria G. Perrine, Kelley S. Scanlon
    Pediatrics Apr 2013, 131 (4) e1108-e1114; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2012-2265

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    Prevalence and Reasons for Introducing Infants Early to Solid Foods: Variations by Milk Feeding Type
    Heather B. Clayton, Ruowei Li, Cria G. Perrine, Kelley S. Scanlon
    Pediatrics Apr 2013, 131 (4) e1108-e1114; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2012-2265
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