A prospective study of the feeding and brushing practices of WIC mothers: six- and twelve-month data and ethnicity and familial variables.

This study, part of a project that provided a baby cup to WIC children in Washington State, reports the feeding and brushing behaviors at six and twelve months and the influence of cultural and familial variables. Results show there are large differences in feeding and brushing practices among ethnic groups, i.e., Asian mothers reported the greatest reliance on the bottle at twelve months. Marital status was related to feeding practices, i.e., single women were more likely to put the baby to bed with a bottle at six and twelve months and were more likely to use a cup at twelve months. The presence of additional children at home was related to infrequent brushing and lower rates of cup use at twelve months. Awareness of ethnic and familial variables such as marital status and number of children may be useful in formulating specific recommendations when counseling mothers and other caretakers.