The introduction of breast milk substitutes and solid foods: evidence from the 1995 National Health Survey.
OBJECTIVE
To report the introduction of breast milk substitutes and solid foods to Australian children between 1992 and 1995.


METHODS
Analysis of data from the 1995 Australian National Health Survey. Infant feeding questions were asked by personal interview in respect to 3,252 children aged under four years of age.


RESULTS
By the age of 26 weeks, the majority of children had been given infant formula (56.9%) and solid food (61.5%). More than one-quarter (27.1%) of children received cow's milk regularly during the first 12 months. Only 7% of children were given solids in the first 12 weeks of life. Soy milk was given to 14.2% of children aged less than four years.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of children in Australia are not being exclusively breastfed for six months as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The intake of cow's milk before 12 months of age and the timing of introduction of solids needs to be monitored. Future surveys should collect more detail about type of infant formula so that the proportion of infants receiving soy-based formula and other formula can be assessed.
Donath
Susan M
SM
Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, Fitzroy, Victoria. susand@turningpoint.org.au
Amir
Lisa Helen
LH
D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006041:Goats; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008892:Milk / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008895:Milk, Human; D013025:Glycine max; D014886:Weaning