76 EARLY SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING AND BREASTFEEDING DURATION IN NORTHERN THAILAND

Abstract

Infant feeding patterns were studied prospectively from birth to 2 years of age in 60 infants, randomly selected from 36 northern Thai villages. Early introduction of supplementary foods was typical with 68% of infants receiving regular supplements by 6 weeks of age. Infants began supplements significantly earlier if their father was a farmer (p=.006), they were born during rice planting or rice harvesting period (p=.011) into households with many adults (p=.05) . Early supplementary feeding may permit Thai mothers to devolve infant feeding to other adults in the household at times when extra farm labour is required. Breastfeeding duration was prolonged despite early supplementation. Median duration was 12 months and 7% of infants were still breastfed at 24 months. Early supplementary feeding per se was not a significant predictor of duration of lactation. However, short lactation was significantly associated with infant formula given as the first supplement (p=.009), younger mothers (p=.011) and more children in the household (p=.028). Weight or length gain from 0-3 months was not associated with early supplementation or feeding of infant formula, after adjusting for nutrient intake, sex and birthsize.