Feeding practices in infants in Kuwait: Methods and interrelationships

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to investigate infant feeding practices in Kuwait and their interrelationships. The studied sample was a stratified sample of 982 infants representing those attending the preventive Health centers for vaccination. Data were collected via personal interviews with the mother. Analysis showed that breast feeding, mixed feeding and bottle feeding were practiced by 14.8%, 20.9% and 64.1% of infants respectively. The highest prevalence of breast feeding alone or mixed was observed among infants <3 months [48.7%]. It declined progressively afterwards. Al-Jahra showed that the highest prevalence of breast feeding alone [22%] or mixed [33%] and the lowest prevalence of bottle feeding [44.1%]. Bottle feeding was practiced most frequently in Hawally and Farwaniya [73.7% and 70.6% respectively]. Supplementary milk feeds were introduced as early as the first month of life. They were associated with significantly less breast feeds. The earlier they were introduced the higher were the chances that the infant would be bottle fed. Milk insufficiency, child refusal and maternal disease were the most frequently reported reasons for cessation of breast feeding. The type of first food given and the onset of breast feeding after birth were significantly associated with the method of feeding practiced