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Infant and toddler feeding patterns and problems: normative data and a new direction. Pediatric Practice Research Group.
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1996
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Pediatric FeedingFamily MedicineNutritionBreastfeedingNon-hispanic White ParentsFood ChoiceEating DisordersInformation GapsPreventive PediatricsNew DirectionChild CareNutrition EducationChild AssessmentPublic HealthDevelopmental EpidemiologyPopulation ChildrenBehavioral SciencesToddler PfbEarly Childhood DevelopmentNormative DataInfant CognitionChild DevelopmentChildhood ObesityToddler Feeding PatternsChild HealthInfant NutritionPediatricsChildren's Eating BehaviorChild NutritionMedicinePaediatric Medicine
To fill information gaps, predominantly non-Hispanic white parents in five Chicago-area pediatric offices were surveyed concerning infant (n = 130) and toddler (n = 151) feeding times and behaviors. Feeding time distributions did not differ by age. Percentiles (in minutes) were: 10th, 9.4; 50th, 17.7; and 90th, 29.3. The most common infant problematic feeding behavior (PFB) was "not always hungry at mealtime" (33%). Toddler PFB included "not always hungry at mealtime" (52%), "trying to end meals after a few bites" (42%), "picky eating" (35%), and strong food preferences (33%). Toddler picky eaters ate more slowly (means 23.3 vs 19.7 minutes, p < .04). Toddlers with recalled PFB at 6 and 12 months ate most slowly (mean 37.5 minutes). We conclude that: (1) infants and toddlers who take >30 minutes to feed are slow feeders; (2) reports of behavioral feeding problems are common in toddlers and are related to slow feeding; (3) and these data can guide clinical care and future studies.