Literature review for - Flourish Paediatrics

3. How do parents and health professionals interpret the present recommendation of around 6
months? It is evident in Australia that almost all mothers introduce solids before the
currently recommended time.
a. Perth Infant Study. By 16 weeks 57% of infants had consumed solids increasing to 89%
at 26 weeks
b. In the 2001 National Health Survey 90% of infants were having solids at 6 months
(Donath and Amir 2005)
Definitions
The definitions used for complementary foods vary. The WHO include infant formula. The term
‘solid foods’ is not really appropriate as most of the first foods given to infants are semi-liquid. The
term “spoon foods” is commonly used in Europe. In this document the term solid foods will be used
as it is in most common use in Australia.
There are similar difficulties with “weaning”. This is used variously as “cessation of breastfeeding”
and “the introduction of solid foods”. It will not be used in these guidelines.
The 2003 Guidelines \
The NHMRC Dietary Guidelines for Children (2003) included the following questions related to the
introduction of solids:
“Introduction of solid foods
The expression introduction of solids describes the process whereby an infant, having previously
been fed solely milk, gradually becomes accustomed to a variety of other foods until he or she can
deal with the general family diet. The expression is preferable to weaning because it more accurately
conveys the idea that the process does not involve cessation of breastfeeding.
Four main questions arise in connection with the introduction of solid foods:
• At what age should solid foods be introduced?
• What foods should be introduced?
• How should foods be introduced?
• How can the risk of infection be reduced?
What does time mean?
The timing of introduction of solids is described in different ways. Here are some examples:
a) At six months
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