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Why are babies weaned early? Data from a prospective population based cohort study.
C M Wright1, K N Parkinson, R F Drewett
1Department of Child Health, University of Glasgow, UK. charlotte.wright@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|August 24, 2004
Summary
Most infants start solids before 4 months, earlier than recommended. Early weaning, influenced by factors like rapid weight gain and socioeconomic status, is linked to increased infant diarrhea risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Infant Health
- Public Health
Background:
- UK infant feeding guidelines recommend introducing solids at 6 months.
- Current practices show most infants are weaned before 4 months.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictors of infant weaning age.
- To investigate the relationship between weaning age, infant weight gain, and morbidity.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 923 term infants using questionnaires and diaries.
- Data from 707 infants (77%) on weaning age, weight, and health outcomes.
Main Results:
- Median weaning age was 3.5 months; 21% started before 3 months.
- Early weaning predictors: rapid early weight gain, lower socioeconomic status, perceived infant hunger, feeding mode.
- No link between post-6-week weight gain and weaning age.
- Weaning before 3 months increased diarrhea risk compared to after 4 months.
Conclusions:
- Social factors influence weaning timing, but most infants start solids before 4 months without issues.
- Earlier weaning is associated with a higher incidence of minor infant morbidity, including diarrhea.