[What Are the Influencing Factors on Early Weaning?]

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

In this study we try to explore the concept of early weaning in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on early weaning and its relation with Influencing factors. The research also analyzes many aspects of early weaning and tries to gauge its effect on influencing factors. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for early weaning and tries to describe the overall effect of early weaning on Influencing factors.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of Study2

Purpose of Study5

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW1

Understanding early Weaning1

Significantly Increased Risk of Obesity2

Risk Factors2

Drugs effects3

Benefits to Extended Breastfeeding4

Natural or Baby-Led, Weaning5

Benefits of Breastfeeding12

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY1

Search Strategy1

Inclusion Criteria2

Data Extraction3

Summary Correlates Terms3

Quality Assessment4

Summary Category of Association4

Harvest Plots6

Summarizing the Strength of the Evidence6

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS1

Results1

Study Characteristics2

Study Quality3

Potential Determinants of Early Weaning3

Potential Determinants of Early Introduction of Cow's Milk7

Discussion9

Principal Findings9

Comparison with Evidence on Determinants of Breastfeeding10

Limitations of the Available Evidence12

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Systematic Review13

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION1

Conclusions1

REFERENCES2

Chapter 1: Introduction

Introducing an infant to solid food, is often called 'weaning', or sometimes known as complementary feeding (World Health Organisation (WHO) 2003), should start when the infant is around six months old (26 weeks) (Great Britain (GB) Department of Health (DH) 2003). Infant's only need breast milk or infant formula for the first six months of life, although breastfeeding is recommended to continue for up to two years (WHO 2003, DH 2003). This gives their digestive system time to develop so that they cope fully with solid foods (this includes solid foods made into purees and cereals mixed with milk). Introducing solid foods is a really important step in an infant's development.

There are many discussions about weaning and they are fraught with difficulties. First there is a dual interpretation of the word 'weaning', whether the introduction of solid foods or cessation of breastfeeding or formula feeding. For most infants, the introduction of solid foods marks the beginning of weaning. Weaning is a gradual process, which can be expected to take from several months to a few years (Rapley 2011). If complementary foods are not introduced when a child has reached six months, or if given inappropriately, an infant's growth may falter (WHO 2003).

Parents are offered guidance on when, what and how to wean, however advice has changed over the past decade and there has been some confusion, especially when maternal experience conflicts with government guidelines (Hetherington 2011). It would seem that despite changes to the guidance on solid food introduction, most mothers do not follow recommendations, with as few as ...