Determinants of Complementary Feeding among Mothers with Children Aged 6–23 Months in Kinondoni, Tanzania: Community-based cross-sectional study

Background Appropriate complementary feeding during the critical period of 6–23 months is vital for child growth and development. However, timely initiation remains suboptimal in many low-resource settings, including Tanzania. This study aimed to identify determinants of complementary feeding practices among mothers of children aged 6–23 months in Kinondoni, Tanzania. Methodology A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2022 among 422 nursing mothers. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics summarized the data. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between individual explanatory variables and the timely initiation of complementary feeding. Variables with significant associations were included in a multivariable logistic regression model to identify independent determinants. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results Only 43.4% of mothers initiated complementary feeding at six months or later, and 39.8% knew breastfeeding should start within one hour of birth. Mothers aged 35 and above were twice as likely to initiate complementary feeding on time compared to those aged 15–24 (AOR = 2.06; 95% CI: [1.09–3.86]; p = 0.02). Those unaware of early breastfeeding initiation were 47% less likely to start complementary feeding appropriately (AOR = 0.47; 95% CI: [0.25–0.87]; p = 0.02). Feeding children four or more times daily increased the likelihood of timely initiation by 65% compared to feeding once or twice daily (AOR = 0.35; 95% CI: [0.21–0.59]; p = 0.001). Mothers who prepared separate complementary food for their children were 48% more likely to initiate timely feeding than those using the same food as adults (AOR = 0.48; 95% CI: [0.24–0.98]; p = 0.04). Conclusion Timely complementary feeding is low in Kinondoni. Maternal age, breastfeeding knowledge, feeding frequency, and separate food preparation significantly influence practices. Targeted nutrition education and support are needed to improve child feeding and health.