RESUMO
The main objective of this study was to inquire from lactating mothers whether they were fully or partially practising exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months postnatally. Time of initiation of breast and complementary feedings, types of feeds and reasons for giving other feeds to infants apart from breast milk were also examined. The data were collected by structured pretested questionnaire. Of the 200 nursing mothers interviewed, 103 (51.5%) and 77 (38.5%) reported to have given water and glucose D water to neonates respectively within the first week of life. Sieved cornpap was the popular weaning diet. Time of introducing complementary feeding to infants, and nursing mothers' educational levels, were highly significantly related (P = 0.005). Surprisingly, none of the nursing mothers listed infant formula as one of the complementary feeds. It is concluded that there is a strong need to correct this unnecessary practice of giving water and glucose D water to neonates to prevent thirst and Jaundice respectively. The correction should commence with health workers and then the nursing mothers.
PIP: This paper examines the practice of exclusive breast-feeding in the first 6 months after birth among lactating mothers in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The study also determines the time of initiation of breast-feeding and complementary feedings, type of feeds, and reasons for giving water and glucose D water to neonates. The investigation was carried out among 200 nursing mothers using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Of the 200 nursing mothers interviewed, 103 and 77 reported to have given water and glucose D water to neonate respectively within the first week of life. Mothers usually used sieved cornpap as a weaning diet. The time of introducing complementary feeding to infants were significantly related to the nursing mother's educational levels. Surprisingly, none of the nursing mothers listed infant formula as one of the complementary feeds. This study suggests that there exists a wrong practice in the timing of starting complementary feeding to neonates. The practice of giving water and glucose D water to neonates to prevent thirst and jaundice, respectively, is unnecessary. Therefore, necessary corrective measures are needed.
