Breastfeeding and introduction of complementary food in Danish infants
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Breastfeeding and introduction of complementary food in Danish infants. / Kronborg, Hanne; Foverskov, Else; Væth, Michael.
In: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 43, No. 2, 03.2015, p. 138-145.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Breastfeeding and introduction of complementary food in Danish infants
AU - Kronborg, Hanne
AU - Foverskov, Else
AU - Væth, Michael
N1 - © 2015 the Nordic Societies of Public Health.
PY - 2015/3
Y1 - 2015/3
N2 - AIM: The purpose of the present study was to describe early feeding patterns in Danish infants.METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was sent to 7113 mothers of newborns in the western part of Denmark approximately 6 months postpartum. A total of 5127 mothers (72%) returned the questionnaire and 4526 (88%) of the responding mothers provided valid answers to questions on infant nutrition.RESULTS: Breastfeeding was initiated after birth by 97%. At the ages of 2, 4 and 6 months, 68%, 55% and 7% of the infants, respectively, were fully breastfed, i.e. they received mother's milk only. Full breastfeeding at 4 months was for infants significantly associated with higher birth weight, longer gestational age and singleton birth; for mothers it was associated with older ages, higher educational level, lower BMI and multiparity. During the first weeks, 14% of the infants were introduced to formula and this proportion increased to 32%, 43% and 74% at 2, 4 and 6 months, respectively. Only 20% of the infants never received formula during the first 6 months of life. Time for introduction of solid food was associated with breastfeeding status. At 4 months, 3% of the previously fully breastfed infants were introduced to solid food, 12% of the partially breastfed and 17% of the non-breastfed. At 6 months, 87% of the infants had been introduced to solid food.CONCLUSIONS: The majority of Danish mothers introduced infants to solid food between 4 and six months, and did not exclusively breastfeed until 6 months, as recommended by WHO.
AB - AIM: The purpose of the present study was to describe early feeding patterns in Danish infants.METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was sent to 7113 mothers of newborns in the western part of Denmark approximately 6 months postpartum. A total of 5127 mothers (72%) returned the questionnaire and 4526 (88%) of the responding mothers provided valid answers to questions on infant nutrition.RESULTS: Breastfeeding was initiated after birth by 97%. At the ages of 2, 4 and 6 months, 68%, 55% and 7% of the infants, respectively, were fully breastfed, i.e. they received mother's milk only. Full breastfeeding at 4 months was for infants significantly associated with higher birth weight, longer gestational age and singleton birth; for mothers it was associated with older ages, higher educational level, lower BMI and multiparity. During the first weeks, 14% of the infants were introduced to formula and this proportion increased to 32%, 43% and 74% at 2, 4 and 6 months, respectively. Only 20% of the infants never received formula during the first 6 months of life. Time for introduction of solid food was associated with breastfeeding status. At 4 months, 3% of the previously fully breastfed infants were introduced to solid food, 12% of the partially breastfed and 17% of the non-breastfed. At 6 months, 87% of the infants had been introduced to solid food.CONCLUSIONS: The majority of Danish mothers introduced infants to solid food between 4 and six months, and did not exclusively breastfeed until 6 months, as recommended by WHO.
KW - Adult
KW - Age Factors
KW - Breast Feeding
KW - Cross-Sectional Studies
KW - Denmark
KW - Feeding Behavior
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Infant
KW - Infant Food
KW - Infant Formula
KW - Infant, Newborn
KW - Mothers
KW - Surveys and Questionnaires
U2 - 10.1177/1403494814567171
DO - 10.1177/1403494814567171
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 25630521
VL - 43
SP - 138
EP - 145
JO - Acta socio-medica Scandinavica
JF - Acta socio-medica Scandinavica
SN - 1403-4948
IS - 2
ER -
ID: 154183529