Cultural Influences on Infant Feeding Practices
Summary of Survey Results

Which is better (or, which would you prefer to do)? Bottle feeding or breast feeding? 75% of respondents indicated breast feeding was preferred, although it was recognized that it may not be an option for all mothers

When (at what age) should children be weaned...from the breast? Two thirds of respondents indicated children should be weaned from the breast before the age of one year.

From the bottle? The age of weaning from the bottle was generally later (9 - 24 months), with many reporting that babies are weaned from the breast to the bottle.

Should babies use a pacifier? Slightly more than half of respondents indicated pacifiers are appropriate

If yes, at what age should they stop using a pacifier? Responses were evenly split between before age one, 12 - 18 months, and 18 - 24 months.

At what age should spoon-feeding be introduced? The majority of respondents indicated spoon-feeding begins between ages 3 and 12 months, although some reported beginning spoon feeding in the first month

What spoon-fed foods should be offered first? A wide variety of responses were provided, but cereal, pureed veges, and mashed fruits were common.

Name at least three foods that would be considered "first finger foods". Bananas, cheerios, crackers, baby toast, and cooked vegetables were common responses

Information from Geographic Regions

Mexico

• breastfeeding is common to age 4 months
• tea is one of earliest offered drinks
• bovine collostrum is considered advantageous for babies' health
• first foods include beans, tortillas, bread, pasta, fruit, chicken souop, jello, soft drinks

Sweden

• cereal mixed with milk/formula for infants
• breastfeeding beyond six months is socially sanctioned
• first foods include commercial baby foods

Brazil

• infants: formula, mingaus and herbal tea, fruit juice
• 4 -5 mo: cereal made from pap, broth and soup
• 6 -11 mo: beans and eggs with beef, chicken, fish
• 12 -23 mo: chicken tripe, beef livers, cassava flower
• sick children are given teas, coconuts, soup for constipation, rice water and banas for constipation

Southeast Asia

• children are often breastfed to age 2, sugar-water and honey is commonly offered but is considered unhealthy
• spoon feeding begins at 9 mos, begin with gruel, cereal, veges
• first finger foods include dried squid or octopus, dried fish wafers

India

• breastfeed 9 - 12 months
• spoonfed foods include mashed vegetables
• 7 - 8 months, cooked rice with milk

Bosnia

• breastfeed up to 3 years
• 4 mos, puree beans and potatos, boiled veges, mild and cracker mush, bananas, corn bread

South Africa

• breast feeding is common, bottle feeding may be considered more prestigious
• weak tea with water offered early

Europe

• breast feeding is popular, but practiced more among those with higher SES

Romania

• thin purees are offered through bottles with widened nipples

Central America

• "extended" breast feeding
• first foods include diluted corn, then mashed beans and rice
• drinks: diluted coffee in milk