Complementary Feeding Practices of Māori, Pacific, and Other Infants in Aotearoa New Zealand

Complementary feeding influences infant growth and health. Māori and Pacific infants in Aotearoa New Zealand experience disproportionate nutrition-related disease, yet complementary feeding data are limited. Caregivers of 625 infants (7–10 months) completed a questionnaire on timing of introduction, baby-led weaning (BLW), and baby food pouch use. Ethnicity was total response; infants not Māori or Pacific were classified as ‘other’. Complementary foods were introduced at around six months for 56.5% of Māori, 62.2% of Pacific, and 80.9% of others; before five months for 40.5%, 34.2%, and 17.3%. BLW prevalence was 29.2% (Māori), 17.1% (Pacific), and 27.3% (other). Although pouches were uncommon when complementary feeding began, by 7–10 months about two-thirds of Māori and Pacific infants were fed pouches sometimes or frequently. Frequent pouch use with mostly or always nozzle feeding occurred in 12.2% of Māori infants, 12.2% of Pacific infants, and 2.7% of other infants. Vegetables and purée were the most common first food and texture. By six months, over half consumed red meat and about half consumed iron-fortified baby rice. These feeding practices have implications for nutrition-related health inequities among Māori and Pacific infants, highlighting the need for culturally centered public health approaches to support whānau with feeding.