Timing of Introduction of Complementary Foods and Beverages to Infants of Low-Income Women

• Published in: Breastfeeding medicine
• Main Authors: Hornsby, Paige P, Conaway, Mark R, Medico, Tegan J, Gurka, Kelly K, Kellams, Ann
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.2021
• Subjects: supplementary feeding; low-income; complementary feeding
• ISSN: 1556-8342
• DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2020.0352

Although rates of complementary food and beverage (CFB) consumption among infants under 4 to 6 months of age have been declining, they remain well above the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAPs) recommendations. It is unclear if women with low income in the United States are more likely than other women to introduce CFBs early. We examined timing of introduction of CFBs to infants of mothers with low income to further illuminate infant feeding practices in this potentially vulnerable population. We analyzed infant feeding data collected prospectively from 443 mother-infant dyads. Data were obtained by interview at 1, 3, and 6 months postpartum. We used Kaplan-Meier curves to show time to introduction of CFBs overall and by type of CFB, and log-rank tests to compare timing by demographic and clinical characteristics. Participants were mostly non-Hispanic black or white, with a high school education or less. By month 3, 48% of infants were fed at least one CFB, increasing to over 83% by month 5. Women who did not work outside the home introduced CFBs significantly earlier than those who worked, as did women who smoked compared with those who did not. Timing did not differ by other participant characteristics. Introduction of CFBs before 4-6 months was common. Clinical guidance and intervention programs should support mothers toward the goal of improving infant diets in this at-risk population.