Infant Feeding Practices Research Articles

Characterisation of complementary feeding practice and locally available climate-resilient crops for complementary food among agro-pastoralists of Ethiopia: a qualitative study.

The current study aims to characterise the complementary feeding practice and identify locally available climate-resilient crops that can be used for complementary feeding among agro-pastoralists in Ethiopia. A phenomenological study in Benna-Tsemay district, comprising focused group discussions, key informant interviews, and household observations, was conducted. A pretested guide was used to capture information regarding types of complementary food, lists of food items, and ingredients included in their complementary formulation. A thematic analysis for emerging points of discussion was carried out. Three major themes, including infant and young child feeding practices, food items included in complementary food, and their consumption frequencies, as well as the incorporation of climate-resilient crops into complementary foods as coping mechanisms, emerged. Breastfeeding was common and regarded as essential. Gruel and porridge from grains, roots, and tubers were regular parts of complementary foods in the study area. Moringa and sorghum were dominantly identified as climate-resilient crops regularly grown and used in complementary foods. Growing these crops was regarded as a coping strategy for drought and seasonal constraints. The district is one of the most drought-prone areas in Ethiopia, compromising the quality of complementary food. Unlike the World Health Organization recommendation, the grains, roots, and tubers-based diet formed the basis of complementary food lacking flesh foods, eggs, pulses, and other fruits and vegetables. Thus, it is recommended to improve complementary food quality through value-addition using locally accessible crops.

Ishrana i globalna sigurnost hrane za očuvanje zdravlja

Every individual deserves access to healthy, affordable, and quality nutrition. Such access is hindered by deep inequalities stemming from unjust systems that structure everyday living conditions. The transformation of the food system into safe, improved, and healthy nutrition accessible to all is a crucial global issue. Healthy nutrition can play a significant role in the sustainability of the food system. Childhood obesity is a significant health problem in the developed world and affects many countries with low and middle incomes, particularly in urban areas. Unfortunately, obese children often remain obese in adulthood, increasing the likelihood of developing numerous chronic non-communicable diseases at a younger age. There is a clear link between infant and young child feeding practices and the socio-demographic characteristics of households. Breastfeeding up to the age of one is less common in wealthier households, urban environments, or among highly educated mothers. Combating malnutrition requires political dedication and simultaneous actions across multiple sectors, along with significant investments in program implementation and monitoring progress towards sustainable healthy nutrition.

Infant and young child feeding practices among mothers in the pilot Micronutrient Powder Initiative in four geographically and ethnically diverse districts in Ghana.

In Ghana, breastfeeding and complementary feeding counselling have been used as a nutritional intervention to promote optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) and nutrition. This study examined IYCF practices in four geographically and ethnically diverse districts (Ho West, Tain, Talensi and Tolon). A qualitative study involving key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted between November and December 2019 among women who participated in a pilot micronutrient powder intervention for children 6-23 months of age. The KIIs and FGDs were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using NVivo 10. Three themes emerging from the KIIs and FGDs were: level of adherence to IYCF recommendations among mothers and caregivers; IYCF recommendations perceived as the hardest to follow; and perceived motivators, facilitators, and barriers to IYCF practices. Mothers in the four districts generally followed the eight IYCF recommendations. Mothers in the Tolon district demonstrated adherence to IYCF practices, often citing the need for early initiation of breastfeeding, timely introduction of complementary feeding, and feeding children aged 9-23 months 3 times daily in addition to breastfeeding. In contrast, mothers in other districts faced challenges that hindered adherence. Giving children 4 or more food groups and timely introduction of complementary feeding were perceived as the hardest practices to follow. The main facilitators of IYCF practices include midwives and frontline nurses teaching mothers how to breastfeed, and midwives ensuring mothers initiate breastfeeding immediately after delivery. The main barriers to IYCF practices identified were insufficient breastmilk; mothers-in-law giving water to children before six months; resumption of work; and lack of financial means. Mothers in the Ho West district reported more barriers to IYCF practices, followed by mothers in the Tain, Talensi, and Tolon districts. Health practitioners, stakeholders, and policymakers should design targeted interventions that address the contextual barriers to improve IYCF practices in the various districts.

Motivating and Hindering Factors Affecting Muslim Mothers' Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices in Select Municipalities of Maguindanao, BARMM, Philippines

Motivating and Hindering Factors Affecting Muslim Mothers' Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices in Select Municipalities of Maguindanao, BARMM, Philippines

Feeding Behaviour and Nutritional Status among Children Aged 6 to 23 Months Old in Bahi District in Tanzania.

The survival, well-being, and development of young children depend on optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. It is imperative to assess nutrition status and feeding behaviour practices in order to develop interventions. The objective of this study is to assess nutrition status, feeding behaviour, and its association with nutrition status among children aged 6 to 23 months old in Bahi district, Tanzania. A community-based, cross-sectional study was employed. A multistage sampling technique was used. Bahi district council, wards, and village were randomly selected, and then a systematic random sampling method was used to select participants. Anthropometric measurements were used to determine the nutrition status of children. Process for the Promotion of Child Feeding (ProPAN) manual guided assessment of feeding behaviours associated with nutrition status. Z-score was used to determine the level of malnutrition; the chi-square test and logistic regression were used as descriptive and inferential statistical tests, respectively, to determine the association between nutrition status and feeding behaviour. Out of 395 children aged between 6 and 23 months, 62.8% were stunted, 25.3% were underweight, and 6.6% were wasted. In the multivariable analysis, the results reveal that stunting was significantly associated with perception of exclusive breastfeeding (number of months) (AOR 4.24, 95%CI: 2.012-8.284) and number of feeds per day (AOR 2.02, 95%CI: 1.00-6.314). With regard to perception of exclusive breastfeeding (number of months), the children whose mothers perceived that children supposed to be breastfed for more than six months were four times more likely to be not stunted compared to those who were perceived to be breastfed less than three months, and the children whose mothers' fed them twice to three times were two times more likely to be not stunted compared to the children who were fed only two times. Bahi district council has a higher prevalence rate of stunting, underweight, and wasting among children aged 6 to 23 months. Feeding on the first colostrum, exclusive breastfeeding, and breastfeeding for more than six months are the main determinants of nutrition status.

Exploring Asian maternal experiences and mHealth needs for postpartum mental health care

Background Mental health care during the postpartum period is notably underexplored within Asian demographics, with barriers such as stigma, privacy concerns, logistical challenges, and a shortage of mental health professionals that limits access to optimal mental healthcare. Previous studies found that mobile health (mHealth) technology has been offering a promising solution to these issues. However, the perspectives of mothers on existing mental health services and their mHealth needs are still not well understood and warrant further exploration. Objective This study aimed to explore the postpartum experiences of Malaysian mothers with postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms and their perspectives on using an mHealth technology to improve mental health care during the postpartum period. Methods We carried out in-depth interviews with six mothers, which were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Collaborative discussions and consensus were employed to enhanced reliability. Findings Five main themes related to mothers’ postpartum experiences and perspectives emerged, namely, the existing circumstances of mothers, psychosociological reactions, maternal needs, innovation of care, and suggestions for pragmatic mHealth elements. These themes emphasized the emotional challenges of meeting societal, cultural, and personal expectations. The essential resources identified to be included in the mHealth technology were education on PPD, professional guided self-care, cognitive restructuring, validation of diverse infant feeding practices, and fostering partner support. Furthermore, interactive mHealth features such as mood trackers, notifications, platforms to share, and motivational tools aimed at elevating maternal well-being were also sought. Conclusions Mothers expressed a desire for mHealth services emphasizing the need for these educational tools to be culturally sensitive, accommodating local language and religious practices, and offering support during confinement, to effectively address the unique needs of postpartum mothers. This study highlights the importance of prioritizing practical mHealth interventions as strategic support services to enhance positive postpartum mental care in resource-stricken countries.

Assessing exclusive breastfeeding knowledge and practice among women in Mbeya, Southwest Tanzania: A cross-sectional study

IntroductionInadequate infant feeding practices pose a significant social and economic development barrier and a serious health threat for children under five worldwide. Although over 90 % of African children aged 0–5 years are breastfed, in many countries, including Tanzania, less than half of infants aged 0–6 months receive exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) as recommended by the World Health Organization. ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study is to assess the knowledge and practices regarding EBF among women in Mbeya. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among women with children under six months attending the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) clinic at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital (MZRH) in August 2022. Data was collected by face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Recorded information included age, level of education, marital status, occupation, number of children and other factors associated with EBF. ResultsOf 371 respondents, 77.4 % had prior knowledge of EBF. However, only 52.8 % reported practicing it, while 47.2 % did not. Knowledge of EBF was significantly associated with its practice (p < 0.001). The number of children was also significantly associated with EBF practice (p = 0.002). Understanding the importance of breastfeeding was significantly associated with EBF practice (p < 0.001), as did demographic factors (p < 0.001). However, respondent age was not significantly associated with EBF practice (p = 0.643). ConclusionThe study revealed a slightly lower EBF prevalence than the national estimate, indicating a public health concern in Mbeya. Findings highlight the need for continued education and support to promote EBF among women.

Human immunodeficiency virus exposed child feeding and maternal enriching factors

Abstract Globally, each year 1.3 million neonates acquire human immunodeficiency virus during pregnancy, labour, and breastfeeding time. Replacing breastfeeding with recommended safe infant feeding practices significantly reduces the risk of transmission, nearly eliminating it. This study aimed to assess Human immunodeficiency virus exposed child feeding among 314 mothers with infants under 24 months old. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique, and data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses employed to identify determinants for safe infant feeding. During interviews, the mean age of women was 32.35 years (standard deviation±4.5), and infants were 10.8(±3.951) months. The overall safe infant feeding was 67.2% (95% CI: 61.7, 72.9), with a mean knowledge score. By the study’s end, 9 infants (2.89%) were confirmed to be infected with virus based on dried blood sample test. Maternal promoting factors for safe infant practice included infant age 25–35 years (adjusted odd ratio (aOR) =2.9) completing high school education (adjusted odd ratio = 9.2), having a good knowledge score for infant feeding (adjusted odd ratio = 8.2), and urban residency (adjusted odd ratio = 2.2). On the other hand, being married made it 83% less likely for safe infant feeding practices (adjusted odd ratio = 0.17) compared to those never in a union. Two in three mothers practiced safe infant feeding for their HIV-exposed infants, with a mean knowledge score of 70.3%. Therefore, healthcare providers give accurate information and counselling services to make informed decisions about infant safe feeding.

Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices among Mothers Attending a Government Hospital

Background: Appropriate young children (from birth to two years of life) feeding practice is very crucial to boost up children’s survival and optimum growth and development. Early initiation of breastfeeding (within an hour of childbirth), exclusive breastfeeding for six months and providing nutritionally adequate and appropriate complementary feeding for six months and continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond are the major components of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. The objective of the study was to find out the IYCF practices of mothers.&#x0D; Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional research was used and all 180 mothers attending government hospital of Biratnagar were the sample. Interview-based data collection was used by a self-developed, structured and semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics using SPSS version 25.0.&#x0D; Result: Less than half (40%) mothers started breastfeeding within an hour after delivery, 90.6% fed colostrum, 73.3% practiced exclusive breast feeding and 89.4% continued to feed breastmilk along with complementary feed to under two years children. Among mothers, 68.3% started feeding complementary food at appropriate age, 70.6% of the mothers fed minimum numbers of time or more according to their child age, 80% mothers used to provide diverse food and 66.1% children were receiving minimum acceptable diet.&#x0D; Conclusion: The prevalence of timely initiation of complementary feeding at 6 months, minimum dietary diversity, minimum feeding frequency and minimum acceptable diet were satisfactory as almost two third and more children have met minimum acceptable diet. However, practice of early initiation of breast feeding is still low.

Gambaran Tingkat Pengetahuan Ibu Tentang Stunting Pada Balita Di Puskesmas Kota Manna Kabupaten Bengkulu Selatan

Globally, stunting remains one of the main nutritional problems in infants and children under five years old. Stunting is a condition in children marked by length or height for age and sex less than -2 SD based on the World Health Organization (WHO) growth curve, due to chronic malnutrition associated with low socioeconomic conditions, poor nutritional intake and maternal health, a history of recurrent illness, and/or inappropriate infant and young child feeding practices. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of mothers about stunting in toddlers at the Puskesmas Kota Manna, South Bengkulu Regency. The method used in this research is quantitative research with descriptive research method. The population of this study were all mothers who had toddlers in the working area of the Puskesmas Kota Manna, South Bengkulu Regency in June 2023 with 20 samples selected using the random sampling method. The results of this study obtained the age of the majority of respondents aged in the range of 20-35 years as many as 18 people (90.0%), the minority aged&gt; 35 years as many as 2 people (10.0%). The majority of respondents' education is junior high school as many as 8 people (40.0%), the minority of SARJANA is 5 people (25.0%). The majority of respondents' occupations were housewives as many as 14 people (70.0%) and a minority of civil servants as many as 2 people (10.0%). the majority of respondents' knowledge was lacking, namely 9 people (45.0%) and a minority of sufficient knowledge as many as 7 people (35.0%). Based on the results of the study, the majority of mothers' knowledge about stunting in toddlers at the Puskesmas Kota Manna, South Bengkulu Regency in 2023 was less as many as 9 people (45.0%).

Maternal understanding and practices of breastfeeding and infant feeding in rural North Karnataka: a cross sectional study

Background: Child-malnutrition is a critical global concern supported by substantial evidence. Recognizing optimal infant and young child-feeding practices as pivotal in combating malnutrition is crucial. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted through house-to-house survey in Ukkali and Shivanagi villages for period of 6 months from February 2018 to July 2018. A pretested-questionnaire was administered to 133mothers of 6 to 12-month-old children, collecting socio-demographic data, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding prelacteal, breastfeeding, and complementary-feeding. Results: Knowledge gaps emerged, with only 50% understanding colostrum's importance. Limited awareness of exclusive breastfeeding (65%) and extended breastfeeding (31.57%) was observed. Prelacteal-feeding was widespread (52.63%), with sugar-water being a prevalent choice (21.8%). Most mothers (over 90%) opted for breastfeeding, yet timely initiation (27.6%) and exclusive-breastfeeding (30%) were suboptimal. Complementary-feeding initiation (15%) and minimum-meal-frequency adherence (13.3%) were low. Meal-diversity was deficient in over 60%. Conclusions: Bridging knowledge gaps and promoting optimal-feeding-practices through targeted nutritional education is essential. This study underscores the importance of addressing misconceptions, enhancing early-breastfeeding, and ensuring proper complementary-feeding to improve child-health outcomes. Socio-demographic-factors must be considered when designing educational material and interventions in rural-settings.

Socio-Cultural Influence on the Knowledge of Infant Nutrition among Mothers in a Local Council South-East, Nigeria: Implications for Social Work

Infant nutrition is crucial for public health since it aids in the prevention of chronic diseases later in life. The study focused on socio-cultural factors influencing the knowledge of infant nutritional needs among mothers in a local council in Southeast Nigeria. The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design with 200 participants who were women of reproductive age (18 and older) selected from communities in a local council. The study’s findings show that mothers’ low educational level contributed to low level of knowledge of nutritional needs of infants. The results indicate that most respondents (80.9%) believed that both parents should be well aware of an infant’s nutritional needs in order to achieve excellent feeding practices. The study revealed various behaviors that do not improve adequate feeding practices for infants based on the respondents’ local knowledge, attitude, and beliefs. The study suggests social workers can help pregnant and parenting women eliminate barriers to breastfeeding by engaging them in prenatal care through therapeutic talks, early intervention programs, both in hospitals, and collaboration with families. The study concludes that there is a link between poor nutrition and family breadwinner roles, literacy level, occupation, and income. There is need for future studies that will involve key community figures including mothers, fathers and other community members. This will help in deeper understanding of social and cultural barriers to proper feeding practices in infants and improve better policy interventions and social work practices.

Mothers’ Experiences During the 2022 Infant Formula Shortage in Washington D.C.

IntroductionAn unprecedented shortage of infant formula occurred in the United States (U.S.) in 2022 and posed widespread challenges to infant feeding nationwide. The purpose of this study is to investigate mothers’ experiences during the 2022 infant formula shortage and its perceived impacts on infants’ diet and health.MethodsMothers (n = 45) of infants under 8 months old from Washington D.C. were invited to participate in a virtual study meeting during the summer of 2022. Mothers completed surveys regarding their demographics, infants’ anthropometrics, infant feeding practices, information they have received about infant feeding, and knowledge about infant feeding practices. They then participated in a qualitative interview about their experiences during the infant formula shortage.ResultsOverarching themes were: the shortage (1) had adverse impacts on mothers’ mental and emotional health; (2) had significant financial and intangible costs; (3) led to changes in infant feeding practices; (4) social and family networks were helpful in navigating the shortage; and (5) mothers felt fortunate to have resources to breastfeed and/or obtain formula.DiscussionThe infant formula shortage adversely impacted mothers’ mental and emotional health, and was costly, in terms of financial and intangible costs. Findings demonstrate the need to develop clinical and policy approaches to support mothers in feeding their infants and provide education about safe infant feeding practices.

Association Between Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices and Nutritional Status Among Children Aged 6 to 24 Months in Terengganu

Infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF) have an important role in defining children's nutritional status and optimizing a child's development rate in the first two years of life. This study aimed to determine the association between infant and young child feeding practices and the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 24 months in Kuala Nerus and Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. A total of 293 mothers and children aged between 6 to 24 months were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometrics comprised weight and height/length. The nutritional status of the children, namely weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ), height/length-for-age z-scores (LAZ) and weight-for-length z-scores (WLZ) were generated based on WHO Child Growth Standard. IYCF practices among participants were determined using a validated questionnaire adapted from FAO. A total of 52.2% boys and 47.8% girls participated in this study. The prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children were 26.3%, 6.8%, and 14.7% respectively. The majority (70.6%) of the participants have good practice on IYCF. However, there is no significant association between IYCF practices and the nutritional status of the children (p&gt;0.05). In conclusion, the majority of the participants have good practice with IYCF and only 1.7% have poor practice. Therefore, by promoting the IYCF practices, it can be a great tool to assess the health status of the children.

Maternal Pre-Pregnancy BMI, Breastfeeding, and Child BMI.

Breastfeeding practices may protect against offspring obesity, but this relationship is understudied among women with obesity. We describe the associations between breastfeeding practices and child BMI for age z-score (BMIz), stratified by maternal BMI. We analyzed 8134 dyads from 21 cohorts in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Program. Dyads with data for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, infant feeding practices, and ≥1 child BMI assessment between the ages of 2 and 6 years were included. The associations between breastfeeding practices and continuous child BMIz were assessed by using multivariable linear mixed models. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI category prevalence was underweight: 2.5%, healthy weight: 45.8%, overweight: 26.0%, and obese: 25.6%. Median child ages at the cessation of any breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding across the 4 BMI categories were 19, 26, 24, and 17 weeks and 12, 20, 17, and 12 weeks, respectively. Results were in the hypothesized directions for BMI categories. Three months of any breastfeeding was associated with a lower BMIz among children whose mothers were a healthy weight (-0.02 [-0.04 to 0.001], P = .06), overweight (-0.04 [-0.07 to -0.004], P = .03), or obese (-0.04 [-0.07 to -0.006], P = .02). Three months of exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a lower BMIz among children whose mothers were a healthy weight (-0.06 [-0.10 to -0.02], P = .002), overweight (-0.05 [-0.10 to 0.005], P = .07), or obese (-0.08 [-0.12 to -0.03], P = .001). Human milk exposure, regardless of maternal BMI category, was associated with a lower child BMIz in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes cohorts, supporting breastfeeding recommendations as a potential strategy for decreasing the risk of offspring obesity.

Determinants of Anishinabeck infant and early childhood growth trajectories in Northwestern Ontario, Canada: a cohort study

BackgroundThe Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) paradigm emphasizes the significance of early life factors for the prevention of chronic health conditions, like type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity, which disproportionately affect First Nations communities in Canada. Despite increasing DOHaD research related to maternal health during pregnancy, early childhood growth patterns, and infant feeding practices with many populations, data from First Nations communities in Canada are limited. In partnership with Sandy Lake First Nation, the aims of this project were to characterize birthweights and growth patterns of First Nations infants/children over the first 6 years of life and to study the impact of maternal and infant social and behavioral factors on birthweight and growth trajectories.MethodsWe recruited 194 families through community announcements and clinic visits. Infant/child length/height and weight were measured at 1 and 2 weeks; 1, 2, 6, 12, and 18 months; and 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years. Maternal and infant/child questionnaires captured data about health, nutrition, and social support. Weight-for-Age z-score (WAZ), Height-for-Age z-score (HAZ), and BMI-for-Age z-score (BAZ) were calculated using WHO reference standards and trajectories were analyzed using generalized additive models. Generalized estimating equations and logistic regression were used to determine associations between exposures and outcomes.ResultsWAZ and BAZ were above the WHO mean and increased with age until age 6 years. Generalized estimating equations indicated that WAZ was positively associated with age (0.152; 95% CI 0.014, 0.29), HAZ was positively associated with birthweight (0.155; 95% CI 0.035, 0.275), and BAZ was positively associated with caregiver’s BMI (0.049; 95% CI 0.004, 0.090). There was an increased odds of rapid weight gain (RWG) with exposure to gestational diabetes (OR: 7.47, 95% CI 1.68, 46.22). Almost 70% of parents initiated breastfeeding, and breastfeeding initiation was modestly associated with lower WAZ (-0.18; 95% CI -0.64, 0.28) and BAZ (-0.23; 95% CI -0.79, 0.34).ConclusionsThis work highlights early life factors that may contribute to T2DM etiology and can be used to support community and Indigenous-led prevention strategies.

History of Infectious Diseases in Toddlers and Frequency of Community Health Center Nutrition Services with Stunting Incidents

Toddlers are an important period in the process of growth and development of a child. Malnourished children can experience malnutrition and this can result in stunting. Stunting incidents could have a negative impact on the growth and development period of toddlers. There were several factors that influenced the incidence of stunting, both directly and indirectly. Stunting was still a serious health problem facing Indonesia. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the history of infectious diseases and the frequency of community health centre nutrition services with the incidence of stunting. The research design was cross-sectional with a stratified simple random sampling technique taken from 8 posyandu (Integrated Healthcare Center) with a total sample of 112 toddlers. This research was conducted in the work area of the Saritani Community Health Center, Boalemo Regency, Gorontalo Province, from January to February 2023. The data analysis technique used in this research was the Chi-Square test. The results of the study showed that there was a significant relationship between the history of infectious diseases in toddlers and the incidence of stunting (p value=0.006; p-value ≤ α = 0.05), OR value=2.804 and there was a significant relationship between the frequency of health centre nutrition services and the incidence of stunting ( p value=0.001; p-value ≤ α = 0.05), OR value=2.859 in the working area of the Saritani Health Center, Boalemo Regency. Nurses can carry out health promotion efforts for mothers of toddlers to increase stunting prevention by knowing the factors that cause stunting. Increase efforts to provide nutritional education services related to stunting at community health centres, namely the First 1000 Days of Life, Infant and Child Feeding Practices, and routine exclusive breastfeeding.

Infant Feeding Practices and Metal Concentrations in Children’s Blood

This cohort study assesses the association between 4 infant feeding practices and concentrations of 8 nonessential and 7 essential metals in red blood cells.

Effects of Nutrition Education Program on Lactating Mothers in Relation to Infant Feeding Practices

Maternal and child health status is profoundly affected by infant feeding practices. In Pakistan, these practices are sub optimal which may lead to adverse outcomes. The initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, as well as good counseling of lactating mothers regarding infant weaning and introduction of complementary foods to the infants in a hygienic and clean environment, can decrease the risk of malnutrition and infections, leading to a decrease in infant morbidity and mortality. Increasing the awareness of mothers regarding recommended feeding practices is a key to improving this situation, especially in the region of South Asia. The current study was conducted with the aim of assessing the impacts of contextually developed nutrition education sessions on the knowledge and attitudes of women regarding infant feeding. A quasi experiment was conducted for this purpose. A sample of 400 lactating mothers between 20-30 years of age visiting a private post-natal clinic located in Lahore, Pakistan was selected. Half of the sample (200) was included in the experimental group and exposed to 12 weeks of educational intervention based on various audio-visual aids. Pretest and posttest knowledge and attitude scores of the women of both control and experimental groups were recorded. The results showed that women belonging to both control and experimental groups had similar knowledge regarding infant feeding at baseline (pretest). However, experimental group showed significant improvement in knowledge scores after intervention, as compared to control. The results also revealed that simple educational intervention can lead to profound improvements in maternal knowledge and attitudes regarding infant feeding. Increasing awareness is the first step in the translation of knowledge into practice. Therefore, similar interventions may be helpful in improving infant breast and complementary feeding practices. Effective implementation of nutrition education interventions that can improve the breastfeeding rates and also bring about improvement in complementary feeding practices is important for a developing country like Pakistan. This, in turn, may lead to better health outcomes for infants by reducing direct and indirect impacts of undernutrition.

Probability of Inappropriate Complementary Feeding Practices on Children Aged 6-23 Months in Indonesia: Results of Indonesian Demographic Health Survey in 2017

Background: One of the causes of the double burden of nutrition problems in Indonesia is the early feeding of complementary feeding. The practice of providing complementary feeding in several countries, including Indonesia, has not reached the target and it is not yet known the magnitude of the probability of complementary feeding not following the recommendations in Indonesia based on national survey data. &#x0D; Objective. To identify the risk factors for the failure of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practice in urban and rural NTT.&#x0D; Objectives: This study aims to determine the Probability of inappropriate complementary feeding practices in Children aged 6-23 Months in Indonesia and the factors that influence it. &#x0D; Methods: The research design uses cross-sectional studies. The data is sourced from the 2017 Indonesian Health Demographic Survey (IDHS) results. The sample was selected from women of childbearing age in IDHS 2017, namely women of childbearing age aged 15-49 years who had children aged 6-23 months who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of 4,985 children. The data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. &#x0D; Results: The practice of giving complementary feeding according to recommendations in children aged 6-23 months in Indonesia is only 55.53%. Socio-economic status is very poor (p= 0.000; OR=1.785; 95% CI 1.44-2.213), rural residence (p= 0.000; OR=1.168; 95% CI 1.025-1.33), lower education (p= 0.002; OR=1.398; 95% CI 1.149-1.702), and grande multipara parity (p= 0.001; OR=1.57; 95% CI 1.238-1.992) is significantly associated with the practice of giving complementary feeding not by the recommendations.&#x0D; Conclusions: The probability of the practice of giving complementary feeding is not by the recommendation of 86% due to the socio-economic status of very poor families living in rural areas, low maternal education levels, and mothers with grande-multipara parity. It is necessary to improve the socio-economics of the family through the empowerment of mothers and families, increase access to health services in rural areas, improve maternal education through various programs, and intensify family planning programs to limit the number of children in the family.