Introduction of solid foods: do mothers follow recommendations?

Infant age at introduction of solid foods was examined, as were maternal characteristics associated with adherence to recommendations.

In a telephone survey, 2153 mothers living in Ontario were asked questions about the age at which foods were introduced to their infants.

Eighteen percent of respondents introduced infant cereal before age four months, while 5% introduced it at age seven months or later. Mothers who introduced cereal either earlier or later than recommended had a lower household income and were less likely to have attended prenatal classes than were those who followed recommendations. Mothers who introduced cereal before their infants were four months old were more likely than were other mothers to be younger, not to be breastfeeding at three months, to have smoked during pregnancy, and to have someone who smoked inside the home. Mothers who introduced infant cereal after age seven months were more likely to be older, breastfeeding at three months, and mothering their second or later-born child than were mothers who introduced infant cereal as recommended.

Small but distinct groups of mothers are introducing solid foods earlier or later than recommended. Educational and informational initiatives that target these parents may help increase the number of infants being fed as recommended.