An investigation into exclusive breast feeding practices in rural Bangladeshi women

Abstract Objective: To (i) describe the infant feeding practices of South African women living in Soweto and (ii) understand from the mothers’ perspective what influences feeding practices. Design: Semi-structured focus group discussions (FGD) and in-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Setting: Soweto, South Africa. Participants: Nineteen mothers were stratified into three FGD according to their baby’s age as follows: 0–6-month-olds, 7–14-month-olds and 15–24-month-olds. Four mothers from each FGD then attended an IDI. Results: Although mothers understood that breast-feeding was beneficial, they reported short durations of exclusive breast-feeding. The diversity and quality of weaning foods were low, and ‘junk’ food items were commonly given. Infants were fed using bottles or spoons and feeding commonly occurred separately to family meal times. Feeding practices were influenced by mothers’ beliefs that what babies eat is important for their health and that an unwillingness to eat is a sign of ill health. As such, mothers often force-fed their babies. In addition, mothers believed that feeding solid food to babies before 6 months of age was necessary. Family matriarchs were highly influential to mothers’ feeding practices; however, their advice often contradicted that of health professionals. Conclusions: In South Africa, interventions aimed at establishing healthier appetites and eating behaviours in early life should focus on: (i) fostering maternal self-efficacy around exclusive breast-feeding; (ii) challenging mixed feeding practices and encouraging more responsive feeding approaches and (iii) engaging family members to promote supportive household and community structures around infant feeding.

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Determinants of suboptimal breast-feeding practices in Pakistan

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012002935 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 659-672 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Tabish Hazir ◽

Dure-Samin Akram ◽

Yasir Bin Nisar ◽

Narjis Kazmi ◽

Kingsley E Agho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Feeding ◽

Low Income ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Bottle Feeding ◽

Sample Survey ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Timely Initiation ◽

Exclusive Breast Feeding ◽

Breast Feed

AbstractObjectiveExclusive breast-feeding is estimated to reduce infant mortality in low-income countries by up to 13 %. The aim of the present study was to determine the risk factors associated with suboptimal breast-feeding practices in Pakistan.DesignA cross-sectional study using data extracted from the multistage cluster sample survey of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2006–2007.SettingA nationally representative sample of households.SubjectsLast-born alive children aged 0–23 months (total weighted sample size 3103).ResultsThe prevalences of timely initiation of breast-feeding, bottle-feeding in children aged 0–23 months, exclusive breast-feeding and predominant breast-feeding in infants aged 0–5 months were 27·3 %, 32·1 %, 37·1 % and 18·7 %, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that working mothers (OR = 1·48, 95 % CI 1·16, 1·87; P = 0·001) and mothers who delivered by Caesarean section (OR = 1·95, 95 % CI 1·30, 2·90; P = 0·001) had significantly higher odds for no timely initiation of breast-feeding. Mothers from North West Frontier Province were significantly less likely (OR = 0·37, 95 % CI 0·23, 0·59; P < 0·001) not to breast-feed their babies exclusively. Mothers delivered by traditional birth attendants had significantly higher odds to predominantly breast-feed their babies (OR = 1·96, 95 % CI 1·18, 3·24; P = 0·009). The odds of being bottle-fed was significantly higher in infants whose mothers had four or more antenatal clinic visits (OR = 1·93, 95 % CI 1·46, 2·55; P < 0·001) and belonged to the richest wealth quintile (OR = 2·41, 95 % CI 1·62, 3·58; P < 0·001).ConclusionsThe majority of Pakistani mothers have suboptimal breast-feeding practices. To gain the full benefits of breast-feeding for child health and nutrition, there is an urgent need to develop interventions to improve the rates of exclusive breast-feeding.

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Breast-feeding and complementary feeding practices in the first 6 months of life among Norwegian-Somali and Norwegian-Iraqi infants: the InnBaKost survey

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980015001962 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 703-715 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Navnit Kaur Grewal ◽

Lene Frost Andersen ◽

Daniel Sellen ◽

Annhild Mosdøl ◽

Liv Elin Torheim

Keyword(s):

Breast Feeding ◽

Complementary Feeding ◽

Age Factors ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Foreign Born ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Exclusive Breast Feeding ◽

Semi Solid ◽

Eastern Norway

AbstractObjectiveTo examine breast-feeding and complementary feeding practices during the first 6 months of life among Norwegian infants of Somali and Iraqi family origin.DesignA cross-sectional survey was performed during March 2013–February 2014. Data were collected using a semi-quantitative FFQ adapted from the second Norwegian national dietary survey among infants in 2006–2007.SettingSomali-born and Iraqi-born mothers living in eastern Norway were invited to participate.SubjectsOne hundred and seven mothers/infants of Somali origin and eighty mothers/infants of Iraqi origin participated.ResultsBreast-feeding was almost universally initiated after birth. Only 7 % of Norwegian-Somali and 10 % of Norwegian-Iraqi infants were exclusively breast-fed at 4 months of age. By 1 month of age, water had been introduced to 30 % of Norwegian-Somali and 26 % of Norwegian-Iraqi infants, and infant formula to 44 % and 34 %, respectively. Fifty-four per cent of Norwegian-Somali and 68 % of Norwegian-Iraqi infants had been introduced to solid or semi-solid foods at 4 months of age. Breast-feeding at 6 months of age was more common among Norwegian-Somali infants (79 %) compared with Norwegian-Iraqi infants (58 %; P=0·001). Multivariate analyses indicated no significant factors associated with exclusive breast-feeding at 3·5 months of age. Factors positively associated with breast-feeding at 6 months were country of origin (Somalia) and parity (>2).ConclusionsBreast-feeding initiation was common among Iraqi-born and Somali-born mothers, but the exclusive breast-feeding period was shorter than recommended in both groups. The study suggests that there is a need for new culture-specific approaches to support exclusive breast-feeding and complementary feeding practices among foreign-born mothers living in Norway.

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Complementary Feeding Practices of Nepali mothers for 6 months to 24 months children.

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.1923 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 52 (191) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ram Hari Chapagain

Keyword(s):

Breast Feeding ◽

Complementary Feeding ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Systematic Sampling ◽

Child Feeding ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Exclusive Breast Feeding ◽

Young Child Feeding

Introduction: Lack of knowledge and proper feeding practices contribute to higher childhood morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study wasto evaluate the mother’s knowledge and practices in terms of quantity, quality and timing of complementary feeding in infant and young child.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted between June, 2010 to October, 2011, at Kanti Children's Hospital, Nepal, involving 1100 mothers of children from 6 to 24 months of age who attended outpatient department of this hospital, applying systematic sampling technique using semi-structured questionnaire.Results: Eighty-seven percent of mothers had knowledge about the duration of exclusive breast feeding but only 33.0% practiced it and 21.0% breast fed their children up to 3 months. Eighty-seven percent of mothers knew when to start complementary feeding and 53.27% of mothers used the marketed weaning food. lito alone was offered by 28.27% as complementary food. Though 36.6% had proper knowledge of frequency of complementary feeding, only 33.27% were actually practicing it and 9.9% were offering more frequent thanrecommended. About half of the mothers fed their child with the food of appropriate consistency and 66.0% fed with the appropriate amount. But only 15.82% mothers fed their children with ideal frequency, sufficient amount and ideal quality.Conclusions: There was a knowledge and practice gap of duration of exclusive breast feeding and initiation and continuation of ideal complementary feeding. Rate of exclusive breast feeding was on declining trend._______________________________________________________________________________________Keywords: complementary feeding; exclusive breast feeding; infant and young child feeding; ideal feeding._______________________________________________________________________________________

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Infant feeding practices and prevalence of obesity in eight European countries – the IDEFICS study

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012003850 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 219-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Monica Hunsberger ◽

Anne Lanfer ◽

Anna Reeske ◽

Toomas Veidebaum ◽

Paola Russo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Feeding ◽

Weight Status ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

European Countries ◽

Baseline Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Exclusive Breast Feeding ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

Maternal Overweight

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the association between exclusive breast-feeding and childhood overweight.DesignCross-sectional data are from the baseline survey of the longitudinal cohort study IDEFICS. Exclusive rather than partial breast-feeding is the focus of the study due to the theoretical relationship between exclusive breast-feeding and development of dietary self-regulation. Children's measured heights and weights were used to calculate weight status, while waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) and skinfold measures were examined as alternative indicators of adiposity and fat patterning.SettingExamination centres in eight European countries (Italy, Estonia, Cyprus, Belgium, Sweden, Hungary, Germany and Spain).SubjectsThe analysis included 14 726 children aged 2–9 years for whom early feeding practices were reported by parents in standardized questionnaires.ResultsAfter controlling for education, income and other potential confounders, breast-feeding exclusively for 4–6 months was protective of overweight (including obesity) when compared with children never exclusively breast-fed (OR = 0·73; 95 % CI 0·63, 0·85) across all measures of overweight. Exclusively breast-feeding for 6 months offered slightly more protection than for 4 and 5 months combined (OR = 0·71; 95 % CI 0·58, 0·85). The associations could not be explained by socio-economic characteristics or maternal overweight.ConclusionsThis multi-country investigation indicated that exclusive breast-feeding for 4–6 months may confer protection against overweight in addition to other known benefits. There was no demonstrated benefit of exclusive breast-feeding for more than 6 months or combination feeding for any duration across all measures of overweight examined.

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Infant feeding practices in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980007246750 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 198-202 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Fenglian Xu ◽

Colin Binns ◽

Jing Wu ◽

Re Yihan ◽

Yun Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infant Feeding ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Infant Feeding Practices ◽

Feeding Rates ◽

Autonomous Region ◽

Exclusive Breast Feeding ◽

Republic Of China ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Feeding Methods

AbstractAimsTo document infant feeding methods in the first six months of life in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China, 2003–2004. Some problems with breast-feeding in the area are explained.MethodsA longitudinal study of infant feeding practices was undertaken. A total of 1219 mothers who delivered babies during 2003 and 2004 were interviewed in five hospitals or institutes, and after discharge were contacted in person or by telephone at approximately monthly intervals to obtain details of infant feeding practices. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with breast-feeding initiation.Results‘Any breast-feeding’ rates at discharge and at 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 6 months were 92.2, 91.3, 89.9, 88.8, 87.7, 86.0 and 73.0%, respectively. ‘Exclusive breast-feeding’ rates at discharge and at 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 6 months were 66.2, 47.6, 30.1, 25.8, 22.1, 13.0 and 6.2%, respectively. The main problem of breast-feeding in Xinjiang was the early introduction of formula or water. The average duration of ‘exclusive breast-feeding’ was 1.8 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–2.0), of ‘full breast-feeding’ 2.8 months (95% CI 2.7–2.9) and of ‘any breast-feeding’ 5.3 months (95% CI 5.2–5.4).ConclusionsInfant feeding methods in Xinjiang were documented in this study and the main problems with infant feeding in Xinjiang are discussed. Further studies are needed to identify factors associated with ‘exclusive breast-feeding’ and duration.

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Breast-feeding initiation and determinants of exclusive breast-feeding – a questionnaire survey in an urban population of western Nepal

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980007248475 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 192-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

TS Chandrashekhar ◽

HS Joshi ◽

VS Binu ◽

PR Shankar ◽

MS Rana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Milk ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Questionnaire Survey ◽

Urban Population ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Feeding Practice ◽

Exclusive Breast Feeding ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Expectant Mothers ◽

Local Traditions

AbstractObjectiveTo assess rates of initiation of breast-feeding and exclusive breast-feeding within 2 months after delivery and to determine the factors influencing exclusive breast-feeding.DesignA health worker-administered questionnaire survey was carried out during the time period 1 August–30 September 2005.SettingImmunisation clinics of Pokhara, a submetropolitan city in western Nepal.SubjectsThree hundred and eighty-five mothers who had delivered a child within the previous 2 months.ResultsThe rates of initiation within 1 h and within 24 h of delivery were 72.7 and 84.4%, respectively. Within 2 months after delivery, exclusive breast-feeding was practised by 82.3% of the mothers. Breast milk/colostrum was given as the first feed to 332 (86.2%) babies but 17.2% of them were either given expressed breast milk or were put to the breast of another lactating mother. Pre-lacteal feeds were given to 14% of the babies. The common pre-lacteal feeds given were formula feeds (6.2%), sugar water (5.9%) and cow's milk (2.8%). Complementary feeds were introduced by 12.7% of the mothers. By logistic regression analysis, friends' feeding practices, type of delivery and baby's first feed were the factors influencing exclusive breast-feeding practice of the mothers.ConclusionsDespite the higher rates of initiation and exclusive breast-feeding, practices such as pre-lacteal feeds and premature introduction of complementary feeds are of great concern in this urban population. There is a need for promotion of good breast-feeding practices among expectant mothers and also the community, especially the families, taking into account the local traditions and customs.

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Validity of Guatemalan Mother’s Self-Reported Breast-Feeding Practices of 3-Month-Old Infants

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/0379572116654644 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 494-503 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Monica Mazariegos ◽

Christine Slater ◽

Manuel Ramirez-Zea

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Deuterium Oxide ◽

Reference Method ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Self Report ◽

Feeding Practice ◽

Feeding Rates ◽

Exclusive Breast Feeding ◽

24 Hour Recall

Introduction: Breast-feeding practices (BFPs) can be assessed by interviewing the mother about current feeding practices and with a 24-hour recall. It is crucial to establish the accuracy of these methods, which are commonly used by public health decision makers to design health policies aimed at increasing exclusive breast-feeding rates. Objective: We aimed to validate 2 self-report BFP instruments using the dose-to-mother deuterium oxide turnover technique (DMDOT) as the reference method. Methods: Breast-feeding practices were assessed by interviewing the mother about current feeding practices and with a 24-hour recall in 36 Guatemalan mother–infant pairs. The validity of these instruments was assessed using DMDOT as the reference method. Results: Both self-report instruments overestimated exclusively breast-fed (EBF) infants. Infants classified as EBF were 50% by the reported current feeding practice, 61% by the 24-hour recall, and only 36% using DMDOT. Sensitivity to detect EBF infants from the mother’s self-report was 92% (95% CI: 62%-99%) while from the 24-hour recall was 100% (95% CI: 72%-100%, P < .01). However, specificity for both instruments was low, at 74% (95% CI: 51%-89%) for reported current feeding practice and at 61% (95% CI: 39%-79%) for the 24-hour recall ( P < .01). Conclusion: Both reported current feeding practice and the 24-hour recall instruments overestimated exclusive breast-feeding. Nevertheless, the use of reported current feeding practice provided more accurate data to assess BFPs in a public health setting. Furthermore, population-based surveys should consider the overestimation of exclusive breast-feeding caused when using these BFP instruments.

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A BIOCULTURAL INVESTIGATION OF THE WEANLING’S DILEMMA IN KATHMANDU, NEPAL: DO UNIVERSAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WEANING PRACTICES MAKE SENSE?

Journal of Biosocial Science ◽

10.1017/s0021932001003212 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 321-338 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

TINA MOFFAT

Keyword(s):

Breast Milk ◽

Infant Feeding ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Cultural Beliefs ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Infant Feeding Practices ◽

Urban District ◽

Feeding Method ◽

Exclusive Breast Feeding

The primary objective of this report is to use data from a study of infant growth and weaning practices in Kathmandu, Nepal, to investigate universal recommendations about exclusive breast-feeding up to 6 months postpartum. A secondary objective is to demonstrate the complexity of the biocultural nature of infant feeding practices. A sample of 283 children under 5 years of age and their 228 mothers living in a peri-urban district of Kathmandu participated in this study. The children’s height/length and weight were measured three times over 9 months. At each session, a demographic, child health and infant feeding survey was administered; between sessions, in-depth interviews were conducted with mothers regarding infant feeding practices. While a few of the infants under 2 months were receiving non-breast milk foods, at 3 months of age half of the sample had been introduced to non-breast milk foods and by 7 months all infants were eating non-breast milk foods. A comparison of growth indices and velocities between exclusively and partially breast-fed infants from birth to 7 months of age shows no evidence for a difference in nutritional status between the two groups. Although there are cultural rules about breast-feeding that vary by ethnic group, all mothers followed a feeding method that depended on their assessment of whether the child was getting enough breast milk. The conclusion is that exclusive breast-feeding up to 6 months may not be appropriate for all infants. In this sample, breast-feeding duration is not shortened by the early introduction of non-breast milk foods, as the median age of breast-feeding cessation is 36 months. One of the main reasons for severance was the onset of another pregnancy. Investigation of infant feeding practices must be contextualized in the local ecology of the population. While cultural beliefs about breast-feeding are relevant, mothers’ individual assessments of their children’s nutritional needs and demographic events in parents’ lives must also be considered.

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Feeding Practices among Infants in a Rural Community in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Medical Students ◽

10.5195/ijms.2014.99 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 115-118

Author(s):

Rajat Das Gupta

Keyword(s):

Breast Feeding ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Feeding Practice ◽

Feeding Rates ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Exclusive Breast Feeding ◽

Face To Face ◽

Maternal Illness

Background: Proper feeding practices during infancy are necessary for the growth and development of infants and to prevent malnutrition. This study was conducted to describe the feeding practice among infants in a rural area in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and June 2013. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews of 212 mothers using a pretested questionnaire. Results: Exclusive breast feeding and complementary feeding rates were 40.6% and 97.3%, respectively. One third of the mothers practiced prelactal feeding, and honey was the most common item. Maternal illness (72.7%) was the most common reason for not giving breast milk. Infant formula was used as an alternative food in majority of the cases (72.7%). Conclusion: Percentage of exclusive breast feeding was not satisfactory. Encouragement of female education is recommended to improve feeding practices and infant care

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