Abstract
The survey examined the appropriateness of selected global breastfeeding recommendations in an environment where the recommendations contradicted local knowledge and culture. Specifically, the survey assessed the implications of pre-lacteal feeding, feeding of colostrum, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and the use of feeding bottles for child health.
Eligible mother-infant pairs were recruited for the survey by cluster sampling technique. Data was collected about the mother—infant pairs with the aid of a pre-designed questionnaire that sought information on the social and demographic characteristics of the mothers and infants, current breastfeeding practices and illnesses that the index infants had in the 2 weeks preceding the survey day. Information was canvassed from 2466 mother—infant pairs. All the infants were aged 0–6 months. Compliance with the selected recommendations were: 74.4% reported exclusive breastfeeding; 87.5% did not give pre-lacteal feeds, 78.3% were not using feeding bottles while 92.9 gave colostrum. Mothers who reported compliance with the recommendations also reported fewer episodes of the common signs of illnesses surveyed.
The study confirmed the appropriateness and relevance of the selected recommendations in the study area.
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