title: Introduction of solids and formula to breastfed infants: a longitudinal prospective study in Uppsala, Sweden.
abstract: The introduction of solids and formula was studied among 506 breastfed infants in Uppsala, Sweden, based on daily recordings during the first year. The mothers had previously breastfed at least 1 infant for at least 4 mo. Thirty-four per cent of the infants were introduced to solids before the age of 4 mo (4-6 mo is recommended in Sweden). Accustoming the infants to solids was a lengthy process. Life-table analyses showed a median duration of 28 d from the first introduction of solids to consumption of >10 ml daily, and 46 d before the infants ate > or = 100 ml of solids in 1 d for the first time. These durations were longer the younger the infant was at the introduction of solids. Thirty-two per cent of infants given formula consumed > or = 100 ml the first time it was given, and 49% did so within I wk, regardless of infant age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parents and healthcare personnel need to be aware that accustoming breastfed infants to solid food is a lengthy process, and that there is a strong age effect on this duration. It is also important to consider what consequences the (usually) more abrupt introduction of formula might have on breastfeeding.
authors: Section for International Maternal and Child Health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Sweden.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Hörnell
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Hofvander
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Kylberg
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D015993:Life Tables; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013548:Sweden; D014886:Weaning