Text Box: STUDY ON THE INFANT COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING PRACTICES IN URBAN AREAS
Zhao Wei-hong, Guo Su-fang, Wang Lin-hong,et al
Maternal and Children Health Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China

Objective: The overall objective of this study was to assess infant complementary feeding practices in urban areas and associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in August and October 2000. Seven cities were chosen as the survey sites including Beijing, Changchun, Huhehaote, Xian, Luoyang, Kunming and Xiamen. 1123 eligible mothers in selected districts and randomly sampled communities with babies between 4 to 12 months of age were interviewed. 
Results: 1.The findings showed that 35% of babies had been given at least one kind of complimentary food by four mouths of age. The percentages of baby beginning to receive starch, fruit, vegetable, egg, meat, bean products were 83%, 70%, 75%, 79%, 67% and 64%, respectively, during 4-6 months after birth. It was also found that almost all (99%) of babies had started at least one kind of complimentary food by seven months of age, and 62% of babies had started all kinds by seven months of age.  Information on the frequency of complimentary feeding demonstrated that babies who were receiving complimentary foods were fed many of them once a day or above. 2. Factors related to mother and promoting the complementary feeding rate at 4-6 months of age were mother returning to work after delivery, receiving health education regarding breast-feeding during pregnancy, receiving health education regarding complementary feeding. The knowledge about complementary feeding, the sources of knowledge about complementary feeding being the media, medical staff, health worker. Factors related to infant were fed formula or milk other than breast milk, especially being starting before 4 months of age. There was no significant relationship between the breast-feeding rate at discharge or 4 months and the complementary feeding rate at 4-6 months. 
Conclusion: The situation of complementary feeding in urban areas is better than before, but the practice of complementary feeding before 4 months should be restricted.  The study that promotion of  breast-feeding and promotion of timely complimentary feeding have to be well integrated in order to achieve the goals of both efforts.










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