# A Comparison of Infant Feeding Practices in South Asian-Born Mothers and Australian-Born Mothers Living in Australia

## TL;DR

The study compares infant feeding practices between South Asian-born and Australian-born mothers in Australia, finding differences in breastfeeding duration and solid food introduction.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the infant feeding practices of South Asian-born mothers in Australia compared to Australian-born mothers.

## Key findings

- South Asian-born mothers breastfed longer and introduced solids later compared to Australian-born mothers.
- Fewer South Asian-born mothers met guidelines for exclusive breastfeeding and timely solid introduction.
- Culturally tailored interventions may be needed to improve infant feeding practices among South Asian-born mothers.

## Abstract

South Asian infants and children have a higher predisposition to central adiposity, increasing their risk of metabolic diseases in childhood. Infant feeding practices are a key factor in reducing the risk of obesity in children. The current study aimed to compare infant feeding practices of South Asian-born mothers to Australin-born mothers. The 2010 Australian National Infant Feeding Survey data were used to compare infant feeding practices between South Asian-born mothers and Australian-born mothers with children aged up to 2 years. Chi-square and t-tests were conducted, as well as regression models, with adjustment for covariates, to assess individual infant feeding practices between the two groups. A total of 298 South Asian-born mothers and 294 Australian-born mothers were included. The age at which a child stopped receiving breast milk was lower among Australian-born mothers (3 months) compared with South Asian-born mothers (5 months, p < 0.001). A greater proportion of South Asian-born mothers reported that solids were introduced at or after 6 months of age compared to Australian-born mothers (86% vs. 69%, p < 0.001, respectively). South Asian-born mothers were engaging in some health-promoting infant feeding practices compared to Australian-born mothers; however, they were not meeting the infant feeding guidelines for exclusive breastfeeding and the introduction of solids. Further research is needed to better understand factors influencing infant feeding practices in South Asian-born immigrant mothers in Australia to determine whether culturally tailored interventions are needed to help these women achieve optimal feeding practices for their infants.