Infant Feeding During the First Year of Life. Results of the 2012–2013 Epifane Study
As part of the implementation of a national surveillance system for children’s diets during their first year of life, the Epifane study (Epidemiology in France of the Diet and Nutritional Status of Children During Their First Year of Life) was conducted in 2012–2013 on a sample of 3,368 mother-infant pairs recruited from 136 randomly selected maternity wards in mainland France. Mothers were interviewed at the maternity ward and at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months. In addition to describing inclusion data and attrition during follow-up, this report provides, for the first time at the national level, a comprehensive set of indicators on infant feeding. These indicators cover milk-based feeding (breastfeeding, use of infant formula, mothers’ choices) and dietary diversification (quantities and frequency of consumption of different types of foods). Among children breastfed in the maternity ward (74%), the median duration of breastfeeding was 15 weeks. At 6 months, only one in four children was still being breastfed. More than half of the children (54%) began complementary feeding between 4 and 6 months. The results of the Epifane study highlight the need to promote breastfeeding and encourage its continuation, if possible until 6 months, as recommended by the National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS). Regarding the introduction of solid foods, while mothers generally followed the recommendations relatively well, the results show that certain foods warrant specifically tailored messaging.
Author(s): Salanave B, de Launay C, Boudet Berquier J, Guerrisi C, Castetbon K
Publishing year: 2016
Pages: 58 p.
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