Weaning attitudes and practices in Baghdad community

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on 150 infants in Al-Mansoor Children's Teaching Hospital, Medical City from Jan. - April 1992. The infants ages were 6-12 months. 62.6% were males; 75% were urban areas. Fifty six infants [37%] were breast fed. 60.7% of mothers gave weaning food to support breast milk. The mother's age had no significant effect on the time of weaning, mothers with secondary and high education prefer weaning at early age [3 months]. Weaning started at 4-6 months by 66% of mothers. Biscuits, soups, cereals, eggs, fruit juices and rice water were foods first introduced. The source of advice to 88 mothers [59%] about weaning was from the grandmother