Canadian infants' nutrient intakes from complementary foods during the first year of life

Abstract

BackgroundComplementary feeding is currently recommended after six months of age, when the nutrients in breast milk alone are no longer adequate to support growth. Few studies have examined macro- and micro-nutrient intakes from complementary foods (CF) only. Our purpose was to assess the sources and nutritional contribution of CF over the first year of life.MethodsIn July 2003, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on a nationally representative sample of mothers with infants aged three to 12 months. The survey was administered evenly across all regions of the country and included a four-day dietary record to assess infants' CF intakes in household (tablespoon) measures (breast milk and formula intakes excluded). Records from 2,663 infants were analyzed for nutrient and CF food intake according to 12 categories. Mean daily intakes for infants at each month of age from CF were pooled and compared to the Dietary Reference Intakes for the respective age range.ResultsAt three months of age, 83% of infants were already consuming infant cereals. Fruits and vegetables were among the most common foods consumed by infants at all ages, while meats were least common at all ages except 12 months. Macro- and micro-nutrient intakes from CF generally increased with age. All mean nutrient intakes, except vitamin D and iron, met CF recommendations at seven to 12 months.ConclusionsComplementary foods were introduced earlier than recommended. Although mean nutrient intakes from CF at six to 12 months appear to be adequate among Canadian infants, further attention to iron and vitamin D intakes and sources may be warranted.

A study of early complementary feeding determinants in the Republic of Ireland based on a cross-sectional analysis of the Growing Up in Ireland infant cohort

“…These inappropriate feeding practices have also been observed internationally. A Canadian study from 2010 based on a nationally representative sample of mothers with infants aged 3-12 months found that 83 % of the infants were taking solids at 3 months (14) . Schiess et al studied complementary feeding in five European countries: Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Poland.…”

“…Moreover, the transition from milk to solid foods is a crucial point to establish life-long feeding patterns (11)(12)(13) . However, poor adherence to recommendations on the introduction of complementary foods has been reported in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) as well as internationally (14)(15)(16)(17)(18) . WHO recommends exclusive breast-feeding during the first 6 months of life of the infant, with the gradual introduction of solids after 6 months (19) .…”

Iron Supplementation of Exclusively Breast-Fed Infants

“…Secondly: iron ID and IDA are not desirable states as the consequences appear to be severe and irreversible if encountered in early infancy [10]. Thirdly: by extending the time of exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months the risk that new food options will not contain sufficient iron is real [2].…”

“…The first food for infants in North America has traditionally been iron fortified rice cereal [2]. Rice being the least allergenic grain and iron as stores are depleting.…”

“…Cereal is the traditional food but by 6 months infants appear to be sufficiently developed to digest and assimilate meat [3]. However this raises public health concerns as infants usually eat meat late in infancy [2,4] and adult recommendations usually include provisos against consumption of certain meats for example, preserved with nitrates. Certainly fruits vegetables and most grains do not contain enough iron to make them viable first foods.…”