Timing and factors associated with complementary feeding in India

Introducing complementary feeding at 6 months can reduce premature death. We examined timing and factors associated with complementary feeding using the Indian Human Development Survey II (n = 11,218 women). Only 21% of mothers initiated complementary feeding at 6 months, 42% at 7-9 months, 33% at ≥10 months. In adjusted results, we found mothers with low income, with no formal education, and who had never formally worked were less likely to introduce complementary feeding at 6 months (p > 0.05). Our results indicate women in less advantaged groups are less likely to initiate complementary feeding at recommended age than women in more advantaged groups.