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16% of US infants are introduced to complementary foods too early
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Although the AAP currently recommends introduction of complimentary foods — including any solids or liquids other than breast milk or formula — at 6 months, this practice occurs before the age of 4 months in 16.3% of American infants, with those who were never breast-fed or breast-fed for less than 4 months at greater risk of early introduction.
“Introducing babies to complementary foods too early can cause them to miss out on important nutrients that come from breast milk and infant formula,” Chloe M. Barrera, MPH, an ORISE Fellow in the division of nutrition, physical activity and obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the CDC, said in in a press release. “Conversely, introducing them to complementary foods too late has been associated with micronutrient deficiencies, allergies and poorer diets later in life.”
To estimate the initial timing of complementary feeding in children throughout the United States and to define the factors associated with feeding complementary foods before the age of 4 months, the researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data gathered from the 2009-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey regarding first introduction of any food other than breast milk or formula in infants aged 6 to 36 months. Barrera and colleagues then used logistic regression to assess the risk factors for early introduction.
Of the 1,482 children included in the study, complementary foods were given to 16.3% before the age of 4 months, 38.3% between 4 and less than 6 months, and 32.5% between 6 and less than 7 months. These foods were also initiated by 12.9% of children aged 7 months or older.
When compared with children who were breast-fed for 4 months or longer, infants who were never breast-fed or those who were breast-fed for less than 4 months were more likely to be introduced to complementary foods too early (OR = 2.46; 95% CI, 1.84-3.30). Non-Hispanic black children (OR = 1.67; 95% CI, 1.08-2.57), infants participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (OR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01-1.89) and infants born to mothers aged 24 years or younger (OR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.16-2.22) were at greater risk of being introduced to food other than breast milk or formula before the recommended age.
When covariates were considered, breast-feeding was the only risk factor that stayed significant (OR = 2.27; 95% CI, 1.62-3.18).
“Efforts to support caregivers, families and health care providers may be needed to ensure that U.S. children are achieving recommendations on the timing of food introduction,” Barrera and colleagues wrote. “Inclusion of children under 2 years in the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans may promote consistent messaging of when children should be introduced to complimentary foods.” – by Katherine Bortz
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.
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