Infant feeding practices of low- and middle-income families in Nebraska

Feeding practices for 100 infants from low-income families were compared with practices for 102 infants from middle-income families in Lincoln, NE, in 1980. Families with annual incomes less than $10,000 were classified as low income and those with incomes of $10,000 or more as middle income. Breast feeding occurred with similar frequency in both income groups, with 56% of each group breast feeding for varying periods of time, some exclusively and some in combination with formula feeding. Age of introduction of solid foods was positively correlated with annual income and education of mothers. Breast-fed infants were introduced to solids later than bottle-fed infants. Attendance at prenatal classes affected feeding practices favorably, particularly with middle-income mothers. Mothers who attended the classes were more likely to breast feed and to introduce solid foods at a later age.