Breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in rural Malawi

Vaahtera, T. Kulmala M.

doi:10.1080/08035250117314

Cited by 13 publications

(17 citation statements)

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“…The cultural food taboos and beliefs which are deeply rooted in some communities are also found to be major factors influencing breastfeeding practices [10] in our setting. The readymade local herbal drops ( janamghuti ) were found to be a common tradition in our community, and infants usually started around one month of age.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infant feeding practices in Bhaktapur, Nepal: a cross-sectional, health facility based survey

et al. 2012

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BackgroundPromotion of proper breastfeeding practices for the first six months of life is the most cost-effective intervention for reducing childhood morbidity and mortality. However, the adherence to breastfeeding recommendations in many developing countries is not satisfactory. The aims of the study were to determine breastfeeding and infant feeding patterns at nine months of age and to assess factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding practices.MethodsIn Bhaktapur, Nepal, we carried out a cross-sectional survey of 325 infants who came for measles vaccination at the age of nine months. Mothers were interviewed on details regarding feeding of their child and health since birth.ResultsThree quarters of all mothers reported that they did not receive any information on breastfeeding during the antenatal visit. Two hundred and ninety five (91%) mothers gave colostrum and 185 (57%) initiated breastfeeding within one hour of delivery. The prevalence of exclusively breastfeeding at 1, 3 and 6 months were 240 (74%), 78 (24%) and 29 (9%), and partial feeding was initiated in 49 (15%), 124 (38%) and 257 (79%) babies, respectively. The main reason, according to the mother, for introducing other foods before six months of age was insufficient breast milk. In logistic regression analyses, mother's knowledge on how long child should be given only breast milk and not living in joint families were associated positively with exclusive or predominant breastfeeding for four months or beyond.ConclusionsDespite the high proportion of mothers who initiated breastfeeding immediately after birth, continuation of exclusive breastfeeding for up to six months was not common. Very few mothers received any information on breastfeeding during the antenatal visit, indicating a need for counseling on exclusive breastfeeding. Possible options for this counseling could be during antenatal visits and at regular clinic visits for vaccination.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infant feeding practices in Bhaktapur, Nepal: a cross-sectional, health facility based survey

et al. 2012

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“…The empirical literature is replete with the assessment of complementary feeding and its effect on children’s health and nutrition (Dewey and Adu-Afarwuah, 2008; Saha et al, 2008 and Vaahtera et al, 2001). The results from these studies suggest that proper complementary feeding could be effective in improving the health of children below the age of five years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietary diversity and child malnutrition in Ghana

Frempong

Annim

2017

Heliyon

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The health of children in Ghana has improved in recent years. However, the current prevalence rates of malnutrition remain above internationally acceptable levels. This study, therefore, revisits the determinants of child health by using Ghana’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey to investigate the effect of infant feeding practices on child health. We used the World Health Organization’s Infant and Young Children Feeding guidelines to measure dietary quality. The econometric analyses show that dietary diversity may cause improvement in children’s health in Ghana. This suggests that educational campaigns on proper infant feeding and complementary dieting could be an effective means of improving the health of children in Ghana.

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“…Breast milk is widely available, economical, and sterile, yet many infants are not breastfed according to the recommendations [13,14]. Lauer and colleagues estimate exclusive breastfeeding in West Africa for infants under six months to be only 6.1% [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infant nutrition in the first seven days of life in rural northern Ghana

Aborigo

Moyer

Rominski

et al. 2012

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

101

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BackgroundGood nutrition is essential for increasing survival rates of infants. This study explored infant feeding practices in a resource-poor setting and assessed implications for future interventions focused on improving newborn health.MethodsThe study took place in the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region of northern Ghana. In-depth interviews were conducted with 35 women with newborn infants, 8 traditional birth attendants and local healers, and 16 community leaders. An additional 18 focus group discussions were conducted with household heads, compound heads and grandmothers. All interviews and discussions were audio taped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivo 9.0.ResultsCommunity members are knowledgeable about the importance of breastfeeding, and most women with newborn infants do attempt to breastfeed. However, data suggest that traditional practices related to breastfeeding and infant nutrition continue, despite knowledge of clinical guidelines. Such traditional practices include feeding newborn infants water, gripe water, local herbs, or traditionally meaningful foods such as water mixed with the flour of guinea corn (yara’na). In this region in Ghana, there are significant cultural traditions associated with breastfeeding. For example, colostrum from first-time mothers is often tested for bitterness by putting ants in it – a process that leads to a delay in initiating breastfeeding. Our data also indicate that grandmothers – typically the mother-in-laws – wield enormous power in these communities, and their desires significantly influence breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and maintenance.ConclusionPrelacteal feeding is still common in rural Ghana despite demonstrating high knowledge of appropriate feeding practices. Future interventions that focus on grandmothers and religious leaders are likely to prove valuable in changing community attitudes, beliefs, and practices with regard to infant nutrition.

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Breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in rural Malawi

Abstract: Exclusive breastfeeding is uncommon and complementary foods were introduced early to newborns among these rural families. Education and family planning may improve adherence to infant feeding recommendations and reduce the incidence of early childhood malnutrition in Malawi.

Cited by 13 publications

References 0 publications

Infant feeding practices in Bhaktapur, Nepal: a cross-sectional, health facility based survey

Infant feeding practices in Bhaktapur, Nepal: a cross-sectional, health facility based survey

Dietary diversity and child malnutrition in Ghana

Infant nutrition in the first seven days of life in rural northern Ghana

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