This report details the outcomes of a pilot study that addressed risk factors for childhood obesity through a home-based early intervention program conducted with 56 first-time mothers, recruited through the antenatal and delivery units of an inner western Sydney hospital. Mothers were offered five home visits by a community early childhood health nurse during the child’s first year of life. At each visit, the intervention was tailored to the appropriate developmental stage of the child. One-to-one consultation was provided with a focus on sustained breastfeeding, appropriate introduction of solids, avoiding food rewards and promoting the drinking of water and the use of a cup. The program was very well received by the participating mothers, with a retention rate of 95%. Compared with the state population average, the rate of breastfeeding at 12 months was significantly higher (36% vs 18%; p<0.01), there was a lower rate of the introduction of solids before 4 months (2% vs 13%; p<0.01), and there was a high rate of cup usage at 12 months (98%).
