Feeding Habits of Children with Down's Syndrome Living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the breastfeeding and introduction of solid foods among children with Down's syndrome. Mothers of 225 children attending three institutes providing education for children with Down's syndrome were asked to complete a questionnaire. Data were collected on knowledge of feeding procedure, pattern of feeding, and introduction of solid food. Although 66.7% of mothers commenced breastfeeding, 30% of them discontinued breastfeeding at 3–6 months of the child's age. Overall, mothers of children with Down's syndrome started weaning between 6 and 9 months of age and the formula most used was Similac ‘yellow’. In conclusion it was observed that Saudi mothers with Down's syndrome children frequently breastfed their children and introduced solid food comparatively late.