Infant weaning practices in Adelaide: the results of a shopping complex survey

The results are presented of a survey of infant weaning practices carried out in shopping complexes in the Adelaide metropolitan area. The types of foods and fluids currently being consumed by the sample of 258 healthy infants was documented, and a comparison made between the feeding practices of breast and artificially fed infants and with respect to socio-economic status. While the majority of weaning diets were compatible with the South Australian guidelines, 40% of infants under 4 months of age were having solid foods and a greater percentage of these infants were artificially fed. Iron intake may not be optimal after six months of age with the increasing use of cow's milk and non-fortified adult cereals. There is an increasing awareness of the inappropriateness of adding sugar and salt to infant foods; however, foods high in sugar and salt are still being used. The results suggest that parents may not always be aware of or understand the rationale behind recommendations for weaning and that dietary guidelines for adults and children may not always be appropriate for infants. Consistent guidelines for infants, modified to consider current food trends, would be useful for parents.