Factors associated with the age of introduction of solids into the diet of New Zealand infants. New Zealand Cot Death Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the current timing of the introduction of solids in infancy and the factors influencing the decision to introduce solids.


METHODS
Eighteen hundred infants were selected randomly as part of the New Zealand Cot Death Study. Of these, 88% of the parent/caregivers were interviewed when their infant was aged between 1 and 12 months. They were asked when solids were first introduced into the diet.


RESULTS
By 12 weeks of age more than 20% of infants had been given solids; by 16 weeks and by 6 months 50 and 90% of babies, respectively, had been given solids. Maternal smoking, low educational achievement and not being breast-fed exclusively to 4 weeks of age were factors which were strongly associated with the early introduction of solids.


CONCLUSIONS
Half of New Zealand infants are being started on solids earlier than is presently recommended. More education is needed to promote the later introduction of solid foods into the diet.
Ford
R P
RP
Community Paediatric Unit, Healthlink South, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Schluter
P J
PJ
Mitchell
E A
EA
D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003657:Decision Making; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009520:New Zealand; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011897:Random Allocation; D012907:Smoking; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors