Infant feeding practices in Ottawa-Carleton: the introduction of solid foods

Infant feeding guidelines regarding the introduction of solid foods are generally not well known in Canada. The guidelines recommend that solid foods be introduced between four to six months of age, depending on the developmental readiness of the infant. In order to understand the underlying factors and patterns which contribute to the introduction of solid foods in infants, data were analyzed from three cross-sectional surveys of parents of six-month-old infants from the Ottawa-Carleton region (n = 373, 1988; n = 330, 1992; n = 338, 1996) conducted by the Ottawa-Carleton Health Department. Multivariable analysis showed that mothers who: did not breastfeed, were younger, had lower education, smoked or had partners that smoked, and lacked support after birth, were more likely to introduce solid foods before four months of age. These data support the need for nutrition education programs to increase adherence to the new Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants guidelines.