Predictors of the early introduction of solid foods in infants: results of a cohort study

Scott, Jane A; Binns, Colin W; Graham, Kathleen I; Oddy, Wendy H

doi:10.1186/1471-2431-9-60

BMC Pediatrics

Table 1 Number (percentage) and univariate odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the introduction of solid foods before 17 weeks

From: Predictors of the early introduction of solid foods in infants: results of a cohort study

Variable	Solids introduced <17 weeks		Solids introduced ≥ 17 weeks		OR	95% CI
	N	%	N	%
Total (n = 519)	226	43.5	293	56.5
Infant factors
Sex (n = 519)
Male	126	44.4	158	55.6	1.08	0.76, 1.52
Female	100	42.6	135	57.4	1.00
Birth weight (g) (n = 513)
< 2500	5	41.7	7	58.3	0.70	0.12, 4.23
2500-4499	284	57.7	208	42.3	0.37	0.09, 1.48
≥ 4500	3	33.3	6	66.7	1.00
Baby admitted to SCN (n = 508)
Yes	24	45.3	29	54.7	1.06	0.50, 1.89
No	199	43.7	256	55.3	1.00
Maternal factors
Age (y) (n = 519)
<20	18	78.3	5	21.7	6.73	2.42, 18.77
20-29	125	49.8	126	50.2	1.78	1.24, 2.56
≥30	86	35.2	158	64.8	1.00
Years of education (n = 513)
<12	109	50.9	105	49.1	1.61	1.13, 2.03
≥12	117	39.1	182	60.9	1.00
Parity (n = 519)
Multiparous	142	42.6	191	57.4	0.90	0.63, 1.30
Primiparous	85	45.2	102	54.8	1.00
Marital status (n = 519)
Married/defacto	205	42.7	27.5	57.3	0.64	0.33, 1.23
Single	21	53.8	18	46.2	1.00
Mother's country of birth (n = 514)
Other	14	37.8	23	62.2	0.67	0.34, 1.35
UK/Ireland	17	35.4	31	64.6	0.61	0.32, 1.13
Asia	15	30.0	35	70.0	0.47	0.25, 0.90
Australia/New Zealand	180	47.5	199	52.5	1.00
Mother's work status (n = 491)
Returned to work < 6 mo	54	41.2	77	58.8	1.04	0.68, 1.58
Returned to work 6-12 mo	40	51.9	37	48.1	1.60	0.97, 2.66
Not working at 12 mo	114	40.3	169	59.7	1.00
Mother's infant feeding attitude (n = 519)
High IIFAS^a score	95	34.9	177	65.1	0.48	0.33, 0.68
Low IIFAS score	131	53.0	116	47.0	1.00
Mother smoked prior to pregnancy (n = 517)
Yes	112	57.1	84	42.9	2.45	1.70, 3.53
No	113	35.2	208	64.8	1.00
Feeding method at discharge (n = 519)
Formula	23	76.7	7	23.3	4.53	1.90, 10.80
Combination	34	39.1	53	60.9	0.88	0.55, 1.42
Fully breastfed	169	42.0	233	58.0	1.00
Feeding method at 4 weeks (n = 491)
Formula	74	62.7	44	37.3	3.47	2.22, 5.44
Combination	43	47.3	48	52.7	1.85	1.14, 2.99
Fully breastfed	92	32.6	190	67.4	1.00

SCN Special Care Nursery
OR = Odds Ratio
95%CI = 95% confidence interval
IIFAS = Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Score Range from 17 -- 85 with a high score indicative of positive breastfeeding attitudes. Scores dichotomised to low score below median score for study sample (<65), high score median or above (≥ 65).

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ISSN: 1471-2431

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