Complementary feeding practices and nutrient intakes of children aged 6–24 months from Bangladeshi background living in Tower Hamlets, East London: a feasibility study

Table 4 Feeding practices of sample population (n = 25)

Feeding practice	Number	Percentage
Feeding method 0–6 months of age
Exclusive breastfeeding*	2	8
Predominant breastfeeding*	1	4
Complementary feeding*	7	28
Mixed feeding^†	14	56
Formula feeding^‡	1	4
Early initiation of breastfeeding^§
Yes	10	45
No	12	55
Bottle feeding^\|\|
Yes	18	72
No	7	28
Introduction of complementary foods
< 6 months	7	28
6 months	15	60
> 6 months	3	12
Age of introduction of formula milk
< 1 month	15	60
1–3 months	4	16
> 3 months	6	24
Whole cow’s milk given as drink < 1 year of age^¶
Yes	1	4
No	24	96
Currently breastfeeding
Yes	14	56
No	11	44
Supplement use
Yes	21	84
No	4	16

*According to WHO definition [6]
^†Allows infant to receive breast milk and non-human milk or formula milk, but not complementary foods
^‡Infant exclusively formula feeding; has never been breastfed
^§Early initiation of breastfeeding: < 60 min after birth
^||Child who received any food or drink from a bottle during the previous day
^¶NHS recommendation: whole cow’s milk can be mixed with foods or given as yogurt or fromage frais after 6 months of age; whole cow’s milk can be given as a drink from 1 year of age [11]

ISSN: 2072-1315