Complementary feeding patterns in a developing country: a cross-sectional study across Lebanon

Abstract

This first, large-scale study on complementary feeding in Lebanon analysed the timing and types of food introduced to infants according to mothers' demographic and socioeconomic and infants' characteristics. A cross-sectional survey over 10 months found that the majority of infants were introduced to solid foods at or after 4 months of age. A large number of infants were given liquids other than breast or formula milk earlier. Women in employment outside the home were almost twice as likely to introduce solid foods before age 4 months. The most common starting food was cereals. More than half the children consumed starchy foods and fruits every day, but not meats and fish. Alimentation de complément dans un pays en voie de développement : une étude transversale au LibanRÉSUMÉ Cette première étude à grande échelle sur l'alimentation de complément, menée au Liban, analysait le moment d'introduction et le type de nourriture proposé aux nourrissons en fonction des caractéristiques démographiques et socio-économiques de la mère et des spécificités du nourrisson. Une étude transversale menée sur 10 mois a montré que chez la majorité des nourrissons, les aliments solides étaient introduits à partir de l'âge de quatre mois ou au-delà. Un grand nombre de nourrissons était alimenté avant quatre mois avec des liquides autres que du lait maternel ou du lait pour nourrissons. La probabilité que les femmes ayant un emploi en dehors de la maison introduisent des aliments solides avant l'âge de quatre mois était près de deux fois supérieure. Le plus souvent, les premiers aliments introduits étaient les céréales. Plus de la moitié des enfants consommait des féculents et des fruits chaque jour ; par contre, ils ne mangeaient ni viande, ni poisson.

Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding in an urban population of primiparas in Lebanon: a cross-sectional study

“…This finding is similar to findings from other developing countries demonstrating the low adherence to the WHO breastfeeding guidelines [26,27]. In Lebanon, past research has cited detrimental cultural beliefs (insufficient milk, “bad” colostrum) [19], unfavorable hospital policies [20] and discouraging physician advice as potential barriers to exclusive breastfeeding and catalysts to breastfeeding cessation.…”

“…In the same survey, only 18% of mothers breastfed within 30 minutes after delivery. Hospital policies, employment and type of delivery have all been shown to significantly affect breastfeeding practices in Lebanon [18,19]. One study showed a significant effect of religion and pediatrician gender on breastfeeding [16] while another documented common cultural beliefs that may discourage breastfeeding [20].…”

Study of Complementary Feeding Practices and Some Related Factors among Mothers Attending Primary Health Centers in Sari, Iran, in 2013

“…Rice has been a principle complementary feeding in other parts of Iran (9) and Middle East countries such as Iraq (15). Still, about half of mothers in this study were not giving feeds in the appropriate type similar to findings of the study by Batal et al, in Lebanon that indicates to need to interventions (7,14).…”

“…This finding is much less compared with the report by Batal et al, in Lebanon that found only 11.9% of mothers practiced complementary feeding at appropriate time (7). This difference might be due to variations in the population with different cultures under study.…”

“…Pattern of complementary feeding could be affected by socio-economic and cultural factors. As the cereal, and soup, Fereni is the first introduced food for children in Lbanon, India, England and Iran (5,(7)(8)(9).…”