Adherence to guidance about complementary feeding and vitamin D supplementation in infants: the role of information sources

Aim: To identify the characteristics of parents with poor adherence to guidelines around introduction of solid foods and supplementation with Vitamin D, and to assess the role of different sources of information in adherence to these guidelines.

Design: A cross-sectional survey which was part of a birth cohort study following pregnant mothers and their infants in a UK city.

Methods: 390 parents who had consented to take part in a birth cohort study were sent a postal questionnaire when their infant was around 6 months old. 220 parents completed this questionnaire about their infants' diet and the sources of information they had used to make decisions about introducing complementary foods to their infant.

Results: Around half (54%) of parents adhered to current guidelines to delay the introduction of solid foods until after their infants were 24 weeks, and adherence to guidelines was positively associated with maternal age and education level as well as with the use of formal information sources such as a Health Visitor or leaflets. Vitamin D supplementation rates of infants by exclusively breastfeeding mothers were low (35%) but increased over time. The internet was a particularly significant source of information used by parents to make feeding decisions for their infants.

Conclusion: In this sample, adherence to guidance around the introduction of solid foods and Vitamin D supplementation was low. Health professionals must develop strategies to communicate these guidelines more effectively.

Patient or public involvement: Members of a PPI group were involved in the study design and development of study materials, including marketing materials.