title: Feeding Mode of Australian Infants in the First 12 Months of Life.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2011, Australia published a set of 6 population-level indicators assessing breastfeeding, formula use, and the introduction of soft/semisolid/solid foods.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to report the feeding practices of Australian infants against these indicators and determine the predictors of early breastfeeding cessation and introduction of solids.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mother-infant dyads (N = 1470) were recruited postnatally in 2 Australian capital cities and regional areas of 1 state between February 2008 and March 2009. Demographic and feeding intention data were collected by self-completed questionnaire at infant birth, with feeding practices (current feeding mode, age of breastfeeding cessation, age of formula and/or solids introduction) reported when the infant was between 4 and 7 months of age, and around 13 months of age. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of breastfeeding cessation and solids introduction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although initiation of breastfeeding was almost universal (93.3%), less than half of the infants were breastfed to 6 months (41.7%) and 33.3% were receiving solids by 4 months. Women who were socially disadvantaged, younger, less educated, unpartnered, primiparous, and/or overweight were most likely to have ceased breastfeeding before 6 months of age, and younger and/or less educated women were most likely to have introduced solid food by 4 months of age. Not producing adequate milk was the most common reason provided for cessation of breastfeeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The feeding behaviors of Australian infants in the first 12 months fall well short of recommendations. Women need anticipatory guidance as to the indicators of breastfeeding success and the tendency of women to doubt the adequacy of their breast milk supply warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: 1 Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.|2 Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Magarey
authors.affiliation: 1 Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Foorough
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kavian
authors.affiliation: 3 School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: 1 Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Kylie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Markow
authors.affiliation: 1 Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.|2 Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Daniels
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: breastfeeding; indicators; longitudinal predictors