Publication Details

AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS

SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH

medicine

Breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in rural Malawi

Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics, Volume 90, No. 3, Year 2001

To facilitate optimal growth of newborns, many countries have developed infant feeding recommendations, usually suggesting 4-6 mo of exclusive breastfeeding and then the gradual introduction of complementary foods. We prospectively studied the changes in infant diets and predictors of adherence to national infant feeding recommendations in a cohort of 720 newborn babies in rural Malawi, Sub-Saharan Africa. Monthly interviews of the main guardians indicated that breastfeeding was universal for 18 mo. As most babies were given water or other supplemental foods soon after birth, the exclusive breastfeeding rates were only 19%, 8%, 2% and 0% at ages 1, 2, 3 and 4 mo, respectively. Complementary foods and family foods were introduced at median ages of 2.5 and 6.3 mo, i.e. much earlier than recommended. Better adherence to recommendations was associated with smaller number of children in the family, increased maternal education and some other socio-economic or environmental variables. Conclusion: 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.
Statistics
Citations: 120
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 4
Research Areas
Environmental
Food Security
Maternal And Child Health
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Design
Cohort Study
Study Locations
Malawi