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

摘要

The WHO (2001) recommends exclusive breast-feeding and delaying the introduction of solid foods to an infant’s diet until 6 months postpartum.nHowever, in many countries, this recommendation is followed by few mothers, and earlier weaning onto solids is a commonly reported globalnpractice. Therefore, this prospective, observational study aimed to assess compliance with the WHO recommendation and examine weaning prac-ntices, including the timing of weaning of infants, and to investigate the factors that predict weaning at #12 weeks. From an initial sample of 539npregnant women recruited from the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, 401 eligible mothers were followed up at 6 weeksnand 6 months postpartum. Quantitative data were obtained on mothers’ weaning practices using semi-structured questionnaires and a short dietarynhistory of the infant’s usual diet at 6 months. Only one mother (0·2%) complied with the WHO recommendation to exclusively breastfeed up ton6 months. Ninety-one (22·6%) infants were prematurely weaned onto solids at #12 weeks with predictive factors after adjustment, includingnmothers’ antenatal reporting that infants should be weaned onto solids at #12 weeks, formula feeding at 12 weeks and mothers’ reporting ofnthe maternal grandmother as the principal source of advice on infant feeding. Mothers who weaned their infants at #12 weeks were morenlikely to engage in other sub-optimal weaning practices, including the addition of non-recommended condiments to their infants’ foods. Provisionnof professional advice and exploring antenatal maternal misperceptions are potential areas for targeted interventions to improve compliance withnthe recommended weaning practices