Abstract

A study was designed to assess the current status of weaning practice and to serve as a guideline of a processed baby foods through the an in-depth survey focused on the Seoul and Kyunggi area. 16.I% mothers surveyed were breast-fed and 54.6% were formula-fed. They mostly wanted to obtain information about processed bady foods and the adequate amount and weaning method of bady foods and showed deep interest in recipe of weaning foods. The average score of weaning knowledge which is counted by mothers'responses was IS.S and was significantly high in the high-educated group. The average Period when those surveved began weaning was $4.3\pm1.8$months and hight-educated mothers began weaning earlier than low-educated group. 77.O% mothers prepared weaning foods at home. The most popular recipe were gruel with meats and vegetables(52.6%) and they usually used mashed or grinded fruits(69.7%). 36.6% of the mothers surveyed used processed baby foods on sale once a day on the ground that such a small package is very convinient to carry. The processed baby foods which the mothers wanted to develope was the already-cooked type and to be able store at room temperature.

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