Infant Feeding Data Requirements

Change History
DSCN 2012 / 07	Infant Feeding Data Requirements

The following information is required to be collected by Health Visitors as part of routine surveillance and reported to community staff.

These data should be captured in the Child Health System Breastfeeding Module. Further information on how to input the data into the system can be accessed in the User Guide

Data Item	Definition	Value
Age of Infant	The age of the infant relating to the feeding status. The timing of contacts with health visitors will vary according to local practice but the feeding status should relate to infants at 10 days, 6 weeks and 6 months of age.	• 10 Days • 6 Weeks • 6 Months
Feeding Status	The feeding status of the infant. Exclusive Milk Breastfeeding or receiving breast milk by any other means e.g. tube, cup, syringe etc and essential medication Combined Milk Feeding – Predominantly Breast >75% of the feeds in the previous 24 hours were breastfeeds Combined Milk Feeding – Partially Breast 75% or less of the feeds in previous 24 hours were breastfeeds Artificial Milk Feeding Formula milk and any other drink but no breast milk It is intended that milk feeding should be recorded as exclusive breast milk feeding even if solid food has been introduced if breast milk is the only source of fluids. As other drinks are introduced milk feeding should be recorded as combined milk feeding (predominant or partial as appropriate).	• Exclusive Milk • Combined Milk Feeding – Predominantly Breast • Combined Milk Feeding – Partially Breast • Artificial Milk Feeding
Age Solid Foods Introduced	This is the age in completed* weeks when solid food was introduced. Solid Food is any form of nutrition not listed above. *For an infant aged 20 weeks and 4 days, the age should be reported as 20 weeks.
Age Exclusive Breast Feeding Ceased	This is the age in completed* weeks when exclusive breastfeeding ceased. * For an infant aged 20 weeks and 4 days, the age should be reported as 20 weeks.