Infant Feeding Practices and Challenges: A Pilot‐Study in Lebanon

Abstract

The improvement of infant feeding practices has been reported as an effective preventive strategy for reducing the burden of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). While high rates of NCDs are reported from Lebanon, little is known on child feeding practices in the country. This paper is based on a pilot‐study investigating feeding practices and nutritional status among 0–2 years old children, in one of the main rural areas of Lebanon (Beqaa). Subjects (n=150) were recruited from selected villages by cluster random sampling. Data on feeding practices, anthropometric measurements and 24‐hour dietary recalls were collected. Stunting, underweight and wasting were identified in 16.8, 9.1 and 4.1% of children, respectively; overweight and obesity were documented in 11.5 and 2.7%, respectively. Less than 10% of infants were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months, with 52.6% being introduced to complementary foods at less than 4 months of age. Approximately, 45% of subjects did not meet the WHO indicators for Minimum Dietary Diversity and Minimal Acceptable Diet. Inadequate nutrient intakes were noted, particularly for iron, calcium, vitamin D and folate. Findings highlight the need for nationwide investigations of feeding practices and child nutritional status in Lebanon. Evidence‐based interventions can then be spearheaded to enhance early childhood nutrition, thus potentially reducing the burden of NCDs.

Evaluación de las conductas de lactancia materna y las prácticas de alimentación complementaria de las madres turcas y las madres refugiadas sirias

“…También se observó una edad similar al momento del primer embarazo en ambos grupos (turcas: 20,30 ± 3,15; sirias: 20,76 ± 4,18; p: 0,366). La cantidad de personas que en el hogar fue significativamente mayor en el grupo de turcas que en el de refugiadas sirias (turcas: 6 [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20], sirias: 5 [3-10], p: 0,011). El tabaquismo fue significativamente mayor en las ciudadanas turcas (55,1 % frente al 23,8 %, respectivamente, p < 0,001).…”

“…Al mismo tiempo, también se demostró que algunos motivos por los que se alimenta a los bebés con leche maternizada son el hecho de que las madres ya no puedan amamantar debido al trauma, la recomendación del médico de usar leche maternizada y el rechazo del bebé al pecho. 19 En un estudio publicado en Bangladesh en 2019, se afirmaba que las madres decían que alimentaban a sus bebés con leche maternizada porque tenían dificultades para amamantarlos, porque pensaban que la leche maternizada era beneficiosa y porque se lo recomendaban familiares, parientes o un profesional de la salud. 20 En estudios realizados en Etiopía y Vietnam, la tasa de administración de alimentos/bebidas distintos de la leche materna a los bebés nacidos por cesárea en los 3 primeros días después del parto fue superior a la de los bebés nacidos por parto normal.…”

Evaluation of breastfeeding behaviors and complementary feeding practices of Turkish and Syrian refugee mothers

“…Age at the first pregnancy was also found to be similar between the two groups (Turkey; 20.30 ± 3.15, Syria; 20.76 ± 4.18, p: 0.366). The number of individuals living at home was significantly higher in Turkish citizens compared to Syrians [Turkey 6 (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20), Syria 5 (3-10), p: 0.011]. Smoking was significantly higher in Syrians than in Turkish citizens (55.1% vs. 23.8%, respectively, p<0.001).…”

“…At the same time, reasons such as the fact that mothers can no longer breastfeed due to trauma, the doctor's recommendation of formula, and the baby's rejection of the breast have also been shown to be among the reasons why infants are fed with formula. 19 In a study published in Bagladesh in 2019, it was stated that mothers said that they fed their babies with formula because they had difficulty in breastfeeding, because they thought baby formula was beneficial, and because family members, relatives, and a health worker recommended it. 20 In studies conducted in Ethiopia and Vietnam, the rate of giving food/drink other than breast milk to babies born by cesarean section in the first 3 days after birth was higher than babies born by normal delivery.…”