scholarly journals The infant feeding practices of mothers in the Maldives

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 502-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Abdulraheem ◽  
CW Binns

AbstractObjectiveTo document the infant feeding practices of Maldivian mothers.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 251 Maldivian mothers recruited in 2004 from the ‘well baby’ or ‘well child’ clinics on the island of Male' and including 75 mothers from three other islands, Hura, Himmafushi and Thulusdhoo.ResultsThe full breast-feeding rate at hospital discharge was 93% but declined to 41% at 4 months. Any breast-feeding rates were high among Maldivian mothers: 100% at 1 month and 85% were still breast-feeding at 6 months. The median duration of breast-feeding was 24 months.ConclusionBreast-feeding rates are high and the average duration of breast-feeding is more than 2 years in the Maldives. Health promotion activities should be directed towards maintaining the already high ‘any breast-feeding’ rates and increasing the proportion of infants exclusively breast-fed to 6 months.

Author(s):  
Oluchukwu Loveth Obiora ◽  
Pauline O. Ezenduka ◽  
Chuka Ifeanyi Umeonwuka

Background: Infant feeding is an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers and their babies. However, various practices exist in different communities. It is therefore pertinent to know the infant feeding practices among rural dwellers, as well as the factors that influence them.Methods: This study was a cross sectional survey. A total of 372 volunteering parturient women were recruited using a multi-stage stratified sampling technique. Ethical approval and respondents’ informed consent was obtained. A self-developed and validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyse data.Results: Findings revealed that majority (84.4%) of the respondents were aware of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), but only about half (50.5%) ever practiced exclusive breastfeeding. Also, a significant percentage of the respondents introduced complimentary feeding to the baby immediately after birth while 29.3% of participants reported drinking palm wine which is mainly alcoholic to stimulate breast milk secretion. Occupation of parturient women was associated with the practice of EBF (p=0.002).Conclusions: Almost half of our studied parturient women do not engage in EBF. There is need for health care workers to strategically educate parturient women and their significant others on the numerous benefits of exclusive breast feeding.


2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamanna Begum ◽  
SK Azimul Hoque ◽  
Md Rafiqul Islam ◽  
Soofia Katoon ◽  
Azanta Rani Shah

Background: Appropriate breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices are the fundamental to children’s nutrition, health and survival during the first year of life. WHO and UNICEF have articulated a global strategy for poor infant feeding practices directly and indirectly contributes to under nutrition, morbidity and mortality in infant. Objective: This study was designed to determine the breast feeding (BF) and complementary feeding (CF) practices in study population. Methodology: This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in Pediatrics out patients department (OPD) of Shahid Surhawardy Medical College and Hospital, from January 2009 to December 2009. Feeding history of total 250 babies age >6 months to <1 year was taken from mothers. Results: Among 250 total babies, prelacteal feed was given in 29.2%(73/250), colostrum was given in 79.2%(198/250) and exclusive breast feeding upto six months was given in 24%(60/250) babies. CF was started in 242 babies and it was too early before six months in 29.6%(74/250) cases. Amount of CF was adequate in 66.9%(162/ 242) and composition of CF was good enough in 58.3%(141/242) babies. Conclusion: In this study CF was introduced before 6 months in one third babies and amount was inadequate in same numbers of children. There is need for promotion and protection of optimal infant feeding practices for improving nutritional status of our children. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v37i3.18616 Bangladesh J Child Health 2013; Vol.37(3): 138-141


2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fenglian Xu ◽  
Colin Binns ◽  
Jing Wu ◽  
Re Yihan ◽  
Yun Zhao ◽  
...  

AbstractAimsTo document infant feeding methods in the first six months of life in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China, 2003–2004. Some problems with breast-feeding in the area are explained.MethodsA longitudinal study of infant feeding practices was undertaken. A total of 1219 mothers who delivered babies during 2003 and 2004 were interviewed in five hospitals or institutes, and after discharge were contacted in person or by telephone at approximately monthly intervals to obtain details of infant feeding practices. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with breast-feeding initiation.Results‘Any breast-feeding’ rates at discharge and at 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 6 months were 92.2, 91.3, 89.9, 88.8, 87.7, 86.0 and 73.0%, respectively. ‘Exclusive breast-feeding’ rates at discharge and at 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 6 months were 66.2, 47.6, 30.1, 25.8, 22.1, 13.0 and 6.2%, respectively. The main problem of breast-feeding in Xinjiang was the early introduction of formula or water. The average duration of ‘exclusive breast-feeding’ was 1.8 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–2.0), of ‘full breast-feeding’ 2.8 months (95% CI 2.7–2.9) and of ‘any breast-feeding’ 5.3 months (95% CI 5.2–5.4).ConclusionsInfant feeding methods in Xinjiang were documented in this study and the main problems with infant feeding in Xinjiang are discussed. Further studies are needed to identify factors associated with ‘exclusive breast-feeding’ and duration.


2007 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 486-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayeda Z Noor ◽  
Emily K Rousham

AbstractObjectivesTo explore the relationship between infant feeding and maternal mental well-being among women of Bangladeshi and Pakistani ethnicity; and to explore the sources of advice, information and support available to women before and after childbirth.DesignA cross-sectional survey of infant feeding and maternal well-being via structured interviews conducted in the home.SettingHome visits within two inner-city wards of Newcastle upon Tyne.SubjectsEighty-six women of South Asian ethnicity.ResultsEnjoyment of everyday activities was higher among women who breast-fed only (P = 0.028); whereas feeling sad or crying during pregnancy was lower among breast-feeding women (P = 0.005), as was not sleeping well (P = 0.003) and feeling that everything was too much (P = 0.039), compared with women who used formula or mixed feeding. Women who breast-fed only had better mean mood scores than those who formula-fed or those who both breast-fed and formula-fed (P < 0.001). Mean mood responses were also significantly associated with the mother’s level of understanding of English and number of years in education (P = 0.005 and P = 0.003, respectively). The association between method of feeding and maternal mood remained strong after controlling for the effects of English language and maternal education.ConclusionsThe study suggests that breast-feeding may be an important mediator of maternal mental well-being after childbirth. Community-based programmes tailored to the needs of Bangladeshi and Pakistani women which support breast-feeding and encourage exclusive breast-feeding may be of benefit.


Author(s):  
Rajeshwar Rao Alwala ◽  
Shankar Reddy Dudala ◽  
Chandrasekhar Reddy Bolla ◽  
Manoj B. Patki ◽  
B. P. Ravi Kumar

Background: Breast milk is the best, safest and most nutritious food for infants. Though breast feeding is almost universal, there are yet some myths and false beliefs surrounding the practice due to various cultures and traditions in India. In the present study an attempt was made to understand various aspects of infant feeding practices among the Sugali tribes of Khammam district, Telangana state.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among Sugali community in Khammam mandal of Khammam district in Telangana from March to June 2010. In which 314 families with pre-school children were interviewed using a pre–designed semi-structured questionnaire.Results: Nearly 80% (251) of the mothers had said that they initiate breast feeding after one hour of delivery, while only 6% initiated breastfeeding within one hour delivery. About 54% of the mothers were giving colostrum to their newborns, while others (45.86%) were giving pre-lacteal feeding to the infants including jaggery water and honey. It was observed that most (71.65%) of the mothers were continuing to breastfeed their children more than 18 months. Only 11.78% of the mothers started weaning before 6 months of age. Socio-economic status, literacy rate and working status of the mothers were some of the influencing factors.Conclusions: The study identified the practices of infant feeding, their determinants among the sugali tribes and recommendations to improve their practices. False beliefs and difficulties regarding breast feeding need to be addressed through heath education and family support.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 1200-1210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sato Ashida ◽  
Freda B Lynn ◽  
Natalie A Williams ◽  
Ellen J Schafer

AbstractObjectiveTo identify the social contextual factors, specifically the presence of information that supports v. undermines clinical recommendations, associated with infant feeding behaviours among mothers in low-income areas.DesignCross-sectional survey evaluating social support networks and social relationships involved in providing care to the infant along with feeding beliefs and practices.SettingOut-patient paediatric and government-funded (Women, Infants, and Children) clinics in an urban, low-income area of the south-eastern USA.SubjectsEighty-one low-income mothers of infants between 0 and 12 months old.ResultsMost mothers reported receiving both supportive and undermining advice. The presence of breast-feeding advice that supports clinical recommendations was associated with two infant feeding practices that are considered beneficial to infant health: ever breast-feeding (OR=6·7; 95 % CI 1·2, 38·1) and not adding cereal in the infant’s bottle (OR=15·9; 95 % CI 1·1, 227·4). Advice that undermines clinical recommendations to breast-feed and advice about solid foods were not associated with these behaviours.ConclusionsEfforts to facilitate optimal infant feeding practices may focus on increasing information supportive of clinical recommendations while concentrating less on reducing the presence of undermining information within mothers’ networks. Cultural norms around breast-feeding may be stronger than the cultural norms around the introduction of solid foods in mothers’ social environments; thus, additional efforts to increase information regarding introduction of solid foods earlier in mothers’ infant care career may be beneficial.


Author(s):  
Monika S. Masare ◽  
Gajanan Soyam ◽  
P. A. Hiwarkar

Background: The present research was carried out with an objective to study various breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices its effect on nutritional status of children and association with common illness like diarrhea and ARI.Methods: This cross sectional observational study was conducted on infant registered in under five-clinic at an urban health center in urban slum. A semi structured questionnaire was used to study the current breast feeding and infant feeding practices among mothers of the study subjects. The analysis was done using Microsoft Excel.Results: There was universal breastfeeding with almost all children having ever been breastfed. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months was not practiced as only about 37.72% of infants were exclusively breastfed for six months. Factors associated with sub-optimal infant and young child feeding practices in these settings include mother’s education level, lack of knowledge of proper feeding practices, lower socioeconomic status, and frequent illness. Noncompliance with proper exclusive breast-feeding practices was associated with more chances of having diarrhoea and acute respiratory illness among infants.Conclusions: The study indicates poor adherence to WHO recommendations for breastfeeding and infant feeding practices leading to more chances of falling ill with common illnesses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 800-800
Author(s):  
Jennifer Peregoy ◽  
Giovana Pinheiro ◽  
Kathleen Rasmussen

Abstract Objectives Over the past decade, peer-to-peer human milk sharing (PHMS) as an infant feeding strategy has been growing in popularity. Given the emergent nature of modern PHMS, little is known about the infant feeding practices (IFP) of parents who engage in PHMS. The objective of this study was to characterize the IFP among a network of PHMS families and identify differences in IFP by recipient/donor status. Methods A cross-sectional survey was circulated among a network of PHMS families in the Washington, DC region. Eligible participants completed a detailed online survey about their milk sharing experiences and IFP. Bivariate analyses of IFP were conducted by PHMS status. To assess for differences in IFP by PHMS status, independent t and chi-square tests were used for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Results Among a sample of 168 PHMS parents, 58% were donors and 42% were recipients. Compared to recipients, donors had a longer mean duration of most recent lactation (17.4 vs. 12.3 months; p &lt; 0.005). During the first 3 months of their children's lives, recipients were more likely than donors to have fed them commercial infant formula (41.4% vs. 23.5%; p &lt; 0.05) and banked donor milk (15.7% vs. 1%; p &lt; 0.005). Donors were more likely than recipients to report ever having produced more milk than needed by their children (91.8% vs. 28.6%; p &lt; 0.001), and less likely to report ever having difficulty producing enough milk for their children (20.4% vs. 77.1%; p &lt; 0.001). Over a quarter of participants had ever exclusively pumped to feed their children, with no difference by PHMS status. While milk sharing, 86% of recipient infants were still consuming their mother's own milk and 58% were still feeding at their mother's breast. Conclusions This descriptive analysis demonstrates that PHMS participants are achieving a high duration of human-milk-feeding, far above the U.S. average. Lactation duration and breastfeeding experience between donors and recipients differed in predictable ways. Exclusive pumping was a common IFP among this sample of PHMS parents. Recipients in this sample were largely using PHMS as a strategy to supplement the mother's own milk. Additional research is needed to understand how PHMS is being practiced and to identify infant health and growth outcomes associated with PHMS. Funding Sources NIH Training Grant T32 HD087137.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inger Aakre ◽  
Anne Marie Lilleengen ◽  
Marie Lerseth Aarsand ◽  
Tor A. Strand ◽  
Ingrid Barikmo ◽  
...  

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