Breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in Malawi : timing, reasons, decision makers and child health consequences

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dc.contributor.authorBezner Kerr, Rachel
dc.contributor.authorBerti, Peter R.
dc.contributor.authorChirwa, Marko
dc.date.accessioned2010-08-23T15:36:55Z
dc.date.available2010-08-23T15:36:55Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.descriptionScientific paper based on IDRC projecten
dc.description.abstractBackground. In order to effectively promote exclusive breastfeeding, it is important to first understand who makes child-care and child-feeding decisions, and why those decisions are made; as in most parts of the world, exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age is uncommon in Malawi. Objective. To characterize early infant foods in rural northern Malawi, who the decision-makers are, their motivation, and the consequences for child growth, in order to design a more effective program for improved child health and nutrition. Methods. In a rural area of northern Malawi, 160 caregivers of children 6 to 48 months of age were asked to recall the child’s age at introduction of 19 common early infant foods, who decided to introduce the food, and why. The heights and weights of the 160 children were measured. Results. Sixty-five percent of the children were given food in their first month, and only 4% of the children were exclusively breastfed for 6 months. Mzuwula and dawale (two herbal infusions), water, and porridge were common early foods. Grandmothers introduced mzuwula to protect the children from illness; other foods were usually introduced by mothers or grandmothers in response to perceived hunger. The early introduction of porridge and dawale, but not mzuwula, was associated with worse anthropometric status. Mzuwula, which is not associated with poor growth, is usually made with boiled water and given in small amounts. Conversely, porridge, which is associated with poor child growth, is potentially contaminated and is served in larger amounts, which would displace breastmilk. Conclusions. Promoters of exclusive breastfeeding should target their messages to appropriate decision makers and consider targeting foods that are most harmful to child growth.en
dc.formatTexten
dc.format.extent1 digital file (p. 90-99)en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10625/44538
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUnited Nations Universityen
dc.relation.ispartofFood and nutrition bulletin, v. 28, no. 1en
dc.subjectBREAST FEEDINGen
dc.subjectEXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDINGen
dc.subjectMIXED FEEDINGen
dc.subjectCHILD DEVELOPMENTen
dc.subjectCHILD GROWTHen
dc.subjectMALAWIen
dc.titleBreastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in Malawi : timing, reasons, decision makers and child health consequencesen
dc.typeJournal Article (peer-reviewed)en
idrc.dspace.accessIDRC Onlyen
idrc.project.componentnumber101829001
idrc.project.number101829
idrc.project.titleSoils, Food and Healthy Communities (Malawi) - Phase IIen
idrc.rims.adhocgroupIDRC SUPPORTEDen

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