Maternal variables related to potentially high-sodium infant-feeding practices

Infant sodium intakes between 5 and 15 mEq per day for ages 0 to 6 months and between 11 and 33 mEq per day for ages 6 to 12 months are considered appropriate, safe, and adequate. Intakes exceeding these ranges should be avoided as a precautionary measure for infants who may be hereditarily predisposed to hypertension. The concern about high-sodium intakes is based on epidemiological findings of an association between such intakes by adults and hypertension. Feeding practices potentially associated with high-sodium intake were assessed in 87 white and 68 black mothers of a cross section of 1- to 12-month-old infants and were analyzed for associations with epidemiological correlates of hypertension. Lower frequency of breast feeding was reported by black mothers and by less educated mothers. Forward, stepwise regression analyses indicated that less education was also predictive of shorter breast-feeding duration, earlier introduction of solid foods, addition of salt to infant food, and use of salty foods as snacks. Addition of salt to infant food was also predicted by high maternal salt use and by positive family hypertension history; black mothers more often fed salty snacks. Considerable public attention has been drawn to the fact that commercial infant foods no longer contain added salt. This study implies a need for additional public attention to appropriate sodium levels in home-prepared and snack foods fed to infants.