OBJECTIVES This study examined whether the infant feeding type and duration are related to the introduction of complementary feeding, and whether the appropriate introduction of complementary feeding in infancy is related to tooth decay in toddlers. METHODS The subjects were 1,521 toddlers among 2~3 year old children in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2015. The toddlers were divided into the appropriate group (4~6 months) and delayed group (>6 months) according to the timing of complementary feeding introduction. RESULTS The delayed group were 26.5% of subjects and the formula feeding period in the appropriate group and delayed group was 8.4 and 10.3 months, respectively (P=0.002). On the other hand, there was no difference in the breastfeeding period between the appropriate group and delayed group (P=0.6955). Early childhood caries was more common in the delayed group (P=0.0065). The delayed introduction of complementary feeding was associated with a risk of early childhood caries according to the logistic models (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.27–2.57). CONCLUSIONS The introduction of complementary feeding is associated with early childhood caries. Therefore, the importance of the proper introduction of complementary feeding in infancy should be emphasized, and public relations and education for maternal care and breastfeeding should be provided through health care institutions.
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This study was carried out to investigate the future plan for infant feeding practice and its associated factors among university students so as to develop focus for nutritional education program for the promotion of breastfeeding. The subjects were 301 students (males 130, females 171). The results obtained were as follows. In this survey, the subjects had a basic knowledge of breastfeeding and lactation, especially of the ingredient of breastmilk. However they were not well informed about the physiology and method of breastfeeding and benefits of breastfeeding for mothers. The average scores for attitude toward breastfeeding and lactation were 3.09 points on a 4 point scale, which indicated a slightly positive attitudes toward breastfeeding. However the participants had a negative attitude toward its emotional and practical aspects. Their future plan for infant feeding was breastfeeding 40.3%, formula feeding 3.0% and mixed feeding 56.7%. A concern was that the students showed a high rate with regard to a mixed feeding plan, and they decided this based on an incorrect knowledge of breastfeeding. The group who planned to breastfeed in the future (BF) showed higher scores with respect to knowledge and attitudes than those who planned to formula feed or mixed feed (FF + MF). Therefore, to encourage mothers to breastfeed and support breastfeeding, breastfeeding nutritional education is urgently needed among university students. In addition, nutrition education programs should promote the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and the physiology and practical method of breastfeeding. Also a practical and culturally sensitive course about food and nutrition is recommended to inform participants about breastfeeding.
Although breastfeeding is recognized to be vital to the health and well-being of children and women, the rate of breastsfeeding among Korean women has continuously decreased. One barrier to breastfeeding has been identified to be associated with health care providers. Health care professionals do not give sufficient advice and encouragement, next do hospitals provide supportive environments for breastfeeding by separating infants from mothers or providing formula. The purpose of this study was to investigate prenatal breastfeeding education and infant feeding practices in public health centers and baby-friendly hospitals. A telephone survey was carried out on 57 public health centers located in the Seoul and Chungcheong areas and 13 baby-freindly hospitals from February to April in 2000. Among the public health centers, 43.8% offered periodic prenatal education for pregnant women who visited the centers. Most of them used leaflets or pamphlets developed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare or UNICEF. Twenty six percent of the public health centers developed their own educational materials. All of the 13 baby-friendly hospitals gave additional fluids to infants, did not allow mothers and infants to stay together 24 hours a day, and did not foster the establishment of breatfeeding support groups among the mothers. Most of the baby-friendly hospitals gave artificial teats, did not help mothers initiate breastfeeding within a half-hour of birth. Findings indicate that current practices even in the baby-friendly hospitals are not consistent with the '10 steps to success breastfeeding'. Therefore, deliberate efforts should be made to incorporate adequate breastfeeding education into prenatal program in both public health centers and hospitals, and create environments to support breastfeeding in hospitals, even in baby-friendly hospitals.
This study was conducted to investigate the weaning practice of 198 infants in Taejon city in October, 1998. Information on infant feeding and weaning practices were obtained by interviewing mothers in gynecologist and pediatric clinics located in Taejon. The results obtained were as follows : In the survey 37.4% of the infants were breast-feeding, while 31.3% of them were bottle-feeding and 29.3% of them were mixed-feeding. The reason for bottled-feeding was due either to the lack of breast-milk secretion or motner's job. The educational level of the mother and maternal job affected the feeding methods before weaning. Lower rates of breast-feeding were found among mothers witn a lover level of education. The breast-feeding rate was lower in full-time and part-time job worker groups than in housewife. There was no significant difference in the feeding methods according to family income. Among the subjects, 71.5% of infants began to be weaned within 7 months. The onset of weaning was delayed in the full-time worker group. There was no significant difference in the onset time of weaning according to feeding method, the educational level of the mother, and family income. 60.6% of infants received fruit juice and 29.6% of them received cereals for first-given-supplementary food. 'For baby's nutritional status' was the most common motivation for the onset of weaning. Commercially prepared foods were used more than home-made food for supplementary food.