Breastfeeding and Weaning Practices among Nigerian Women

Background: Infant feeding is an important determinant of child well­being. The practice of exclusive breastfeeding over the years is declining despite efforts at all levels to improve it; and with globalization there is concern of possible drift in the traditional weaning practices among Nigerian women. This study, therefore, seeks to determine the breastfeeding and weaning patterns among mothers attending two health facilities in the northern and southern parts of Nigerian.Materials and Methods: This was prospective cross­sectional study involving mothers seen in Paediatrics Outpatient and Child Immunization Clinics. This study involved two hospitals in northern and southern Nigeria respectively. Results: Two hundred breastfeeding mothers were recruited into this study. 75% of the mothers were in 25­40 years group and the majority of them (40.0%) commenced breastfeeding after 60 min of delivery. 83% of the mothers were aware of exclusive breastfeeding, but only 40.5% practiced it; their main reasons were that: Breastfeeding was not enough for the growth and development of the child (26.1%) and that breast­milk did not contain enough water; however most mothers' breasts fed for >12 months. About 44.5% of the mothers introduced complementary feeds between 4 and 6 months, and most complimentary meals (53.5%)were maize­based. 61½% of the mothers abruptly stopped breastfeeding, and the practice of separating the child from the home during weaning was reported in only 16% of the mothers.Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding is still unacceptably low among Nigerian women despite anincreased level of awareness

Introducing Solid Foods

There are recommendations to guide parents to help their infants make the transition from milk to weaning foods; but they differ in their focus in developed or developing countries and on the physiological and behavioural reasons that underlie the introduction of weaning foods. According to recommendations; ideally; term infants should begin weaning at six months; while breastfeeding should continue for two years. The recommendations on nutrients in complementary foods are based on the nutrient gap between the composition and volume of breast milk after approximately six months of exclusive breastfeeding and the physiology of infant nutritional requirements

"They call our children "Nevirapine Babies?": a qualitative study about exclusive breastfeeding among HIV positive mothers in Malawi

Infant feeding is estimated to be responsible for 5%-20% of the burden of HIV transmission from mother to child. HIV positive women who cannot afford safe formula feeding are advised to practise exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) followed by prompt weaning. We conducted a qualitative study using observations and in-depth individual interviews to explore patterns of EBF as well as which factors motivate or hinder women to practice EBF. HIV positive women who intended to practice EBF from urban Malawi were purposively selected and interviewed. All women were well informed and had high knowledge on HIV as well as on EBF but much less knowledge on basic facts about breastfeeding. Despite their inten-tions less than half of the interviewed women managed to practice EBF and the barriers were explained by perceived lack of milk, lack of control over the feeding situation, felt and enacted stigma as well as poor counselling. Women who succeeded were older, had the explicit support of their husband and lived without the presence of their mother-in-law. Weaning at the age of 6 months was reported to be as difficult for the women as EBF. Intention itself is not a sufficient determinant of successful EBF unless a number of enabling factors come together. Prolonged breastfeeding is the cultural norm in Malawi and programs must be sensitive to social expectations to mothers and involve mothers-in-law and fathers in counselling of mothers who intend to practice EBF (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[3]: 213-222)

Dietary aflatoxin exposure and impaired growth in young children from Kisumu District, Kenya: Cross sectional study

Cereal grains are the basis of weaning gruel in Kenya yet they run a high risk of mycotoxin contamination. Children could be at a higher risk of dietary mycotoxin exposure than the rest of the population.. This paper presents information on the association between nutritional state of children and dietary exposure to aflatoxins in Kisumu District. Weaning flour samples were collected randomly from 242 households in Kisumu District; Kenya. A questionnaire was used to collect information; from mothers whose flour were sampled; on the types of weaning foods; handling and storage. The nutritional status of the children in question was assessed and their weight and height measured. The flour samples were analyzed for aflatoxins by thin layer chromatography. Cultural studies of the flour were also done. Thirty one percent of the children were malnourished. The number of children who were wasting and were being fed on flour contaminated with mycotoxins was highly significant (P = 0.002). Seventy samples (29) were positive for aflatoxins (concentration range 2-82 ?g/kg); some exceeding the advisory limit

The Development of Nutritious Low Cost Weaning Food for Kenya Infants

The aim of this research was to develop an inexpensive weaning food of adequate dietary energy; protein and fat; for an infant of four to six months; that can be manufactured in Kenya; using readily available resources and technology. Product formulation was developed by using low cost; readily available and culturally acceptable food products. A cooked porridge was prepared using the traditional oven top method. Subsequently; the porridge was drum dried; blended with ground pumpkin seeds; heat sealed and stored at ambient temperature (22 degrees Centigrade) for eight weeks. Chemical analysis was then carried out to determine the total percentage energy; protein; fat and carbohydrate content of the dried mix. All were in accordance with the theoretical values. This analysis indicated that in order to meet the recommended daily allowances for fat and energy; the addition of oil was necessary; this value was calculated theoretically. In vitro protein digestibility was 82.5 per cent; confirming a high quality protein food. HPLC analysis detected no free floating water soluble amino acids; indicating food stability. A low peroxide value was found; confirming a rancid free food. Viscometer analysis of the reconstituted mix confirmed a nutrient and energy dense food at an acceptable consistency for infant feeding. The addition of a small amount of oil; to the reconstituted mix lowered the viscosity; allowing for the addition of an increase in the quality of dried mix; increasing both nutrient and energy density. The organoleptic qualities of the food were evaluated by a semi-trained panel. The overall appearance was highly rated; with flavour slightly less favourable

Technique traditionnelle de sevrage dans la zone de sante de Basankusu

Des encadreurs de sante et de developpement ont ete utilises comme informateurs cles pour decrire la technique traditionnelle de sevrage dans la zone de sante rurale de Basankusu. Les donnees qualitatives obtenues ont ete discutees en seance pleniere devant les encadreurs de la zone de sante de Bolomba; voisine de Basankusu. La conduite du sevrage dans ce milieu rural est satisfaisant a bien d'egards. L'allaitement au sein exclusif se pratique jusqu'a 5 mois. Le sevrage est progressif et s'etend au dela de 18 mois. La chikwangue; aliment de sevrage de base est premastique par la mere avant la consommation par l'enfant. Il faut neanmoins deplorer la faible utilisation des cereales combinees aux legumineuses; aliment pourtant cultive dans la region pour le sevrage. Cette defaillance pourrait donc constituer une matiere pour l'education nutritionnelle

Alimentation de sevrage et interventions nutrionnelles au Congo

Au Congo; les etats de denutrition apparaissent tot et leur prevalence est particulierement elevee pendant la periode de sevrage. En vue d'aider a l'elaboration et la mise en oeuvre d'interventions nutritionnelles; des donnees relatives a l'alimentation des enfants de moins de 24 mois; en milieu rural et en milieu urbain; ont ete collectees. La pratique de l'allaitement maternel est encore generalisee et de longue duree; en depit d'une tendance au raccourcissement en milieu urbain. En revanche; les pratiques alimentaires; notamment de sevrage; la qualite des bouillies contribuent fortement au mauvais etat nutritionnel et aux deficits de croissance des enfants. En milieu rural les bouillies sont donnees trop tot puis arretees egalement trop tot pour etre remplacees sans veritable transition par les aliments du plat familial. En milieu urbain l'installation des bouillies de sevrage est plus rationnelle et les enfants sont amenes plus progressivement au sevrage total. Leur alimentation est egalement moins monotone

Weaning practices in Ilorin community; Nigeria

The paper examines the knowledge; attitude and practice of weaning in 516 mothers in Ilorin Community; the capital of Kwara state of Nigeria. Women with a higher level of education and family income breastfed for a shorter period; and tended to wean earlier than the the illiterate and low income group

Report on the training of trainer's course on lactation management

In 1987; a survey was conducted by the Zimbabwe Infant Nutrition Network (ZINN) in conjuction with the Nutrition Unit of Ministry of Health and La Leche League on Knowledge; Attitudes and Practice (KAP) of health workers in Zimbabwe - with respect to breastfeeding. From the survey it was summarised that (a) the attitude of health workers in Zimbabwe towards breastfeeding is very positive (b) most health workers are knowledgeable about the benefits of breastfeeding (c) some health workers lacked knowledge in certain areas of breastfeeding management and this meant that the health workers would give outdated and inappropriate advice to mothers despite their enthusiasm to promote breastfeeding

Breast-feeding and weaning practices in urban areas of Malawi

This study assesses the existing situation of breast feeding and weaning practices in urban areas of Malawi with the intention of establishing programmes to promote breast feeding and better weaning