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Inappropriate infant bottle feeding. Status of the Healthy People 2000 objective
1National Institute of Dental Research, Division of Epidemiology and Oral Disease Prevention, Bethesda, Md., USA.
Insights
Many young children in the US use baby bottles, with nearly one-fifth put to bed with bottles containing liquids other than water, increasing risks for early childhood caries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Dental Public Health
- Child Nutrition
Background:
- Baby bottle use is prevalent in the United States.
- Inappropriate feeding practices, including prolonged baby bottle use, are linked to significant health issues.
- Early childhood caries (ECC) is a major concern associated with bottle feeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present data on baby bottle usage patterns in the US.
- To highlight the association between baby bottle use and health consequences.
- To inform healthcare professionals about feeding practices.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the 1991 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) child supplement.
- Inclusion of a representative sample of US children aged 6 months to 5 years.
- Assessment of bottle use (ever and still use) and related demographic/behavioral factors.
Main Results:
- Approximately 95% of children aged 6 months to 5 years have used a baby bottle.
- Nearly 20% of children in this age group were put to bed with a bottle containing non-water liquids.
- Over 8% of children aged 2 to 5 years continued to use bottles, with variations noted across demographic groups.
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of baby bottle use necessitates intervention.
- Pediatricians and healthcare providers should address bottle feeding practices to mitigate health risks.
- Targeted education on safe feeding practices is crucial for preventing early childhood caries.
Objective:
To provide information on baby bottle use in the United States because of the important consequences, including early childhood caries, associated with inappropriate feeding practices.
Methods:
Data from the child supplement to the 1991 National Health Interview Survey were examined. Information was collected on one randomly selected child from each family with children in the survey; data were weighted to represent the corresponding US population. Questions about the "ever use" and "still use" of baby bottles, and selected sociodemographic and health behavior variables were assessed.
Results:
About 95% of children 6 months to 5 years old have ever used a baby bottle. Nearly one fifth of the children in this age range were put to bed with a bottle that had contents other than water. More than 8% of children 2 to 5 years old still use the bottle. Bivariate and multivariate analyses showed differences in bottle practices by education level of the adult caretaker, dental visits, Hispanic background, race, and geographic region.
Conclusion:
The high prevalence of feeding with a baby bottle requires pediatricians and other health care professionals to help reduce the risks to health.