| Abstract [eng] |
Objectives: to identify feeding practices among healthy, full-term infants aged 0-12 months in Lithuania. Methods: the nutrition of healthy full-term infants aged 0-12 months was investigated by conducting a questionnaire survey of mothers in various Lithuanian health care institutions and online. We interviewed mothers of 1-2-year-old children and asked them to retrospectively evaluate nutrition of their children from 0 to 12 months of age. Results: 327 mothers answered the questionnaire. Before complementary feeding, 59.6% (n = 195) of mothers exclusively breastfed, 6.7% (n = 22) fed with formula and 33.7% (n = 110) used mixed method. 63.1% (n = 206) of infants were exclusively breastfed for four months or longer, and 33.7% (n = 110) for six months. 53.5% (n = 175) of mothers breastfed for 12-24 months, and 6.7% (n = 22) did not breastfeed at all. Breastfeeding and the duration of breastfeeding were related with type of delivery, the mother's education and the number of children in the family (p < 0.05). 58.7% (n = 192) of infants were fed with formula at least once during the first 12 months. Complementary feeding was started at the age of 5.4 months. Infants who were not exclusively breastfed started complementary feeding earlier (p < 0.001). Most infants had vegetables as their first food (86.8%; n = 284). Vegetables, fruits, berries, cereals and meat dominated in the baby's diet. Conclusions: 1. More than half of the infants were exclusively breastfed for four months or longer. 2. More than half of the mothers continued breastfeeding until one year of age or longer. 3. Breastfeeding practices were influenced by type of delivery, the mother's education and the number of children in the family. 4. Almost all infants started complementary feeding at the age of 4-6 months. |
