Exclusive Breastfeeding and Subsequent Early Child Feeding

Abstract

Introduction: Optimal infant and young child feeding practices are important for the survival, growth, development and health of infants and young children. Objective: The aim of this study was to find out whether early feeding (EBF) practices influenced subsequent child feeding adequacy among children 9-23 months. Methods: Study participants included 300 mother-infant pairs who were recruited at the Child Welfare Clinic of the University of Ghana, Hospital. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics and infant and young child feeding practices. Information was also collected on perceived temperament of the children using a structured questionnaire. A focus group discussion was used to explore perception of feeding problems by caregivers. SPSS version 16 and Microsoft Excel were used to analyse the results. Chi-Square tests of significance were used to describe associations between maternal and child characteristics and child feeding adequacy. Multiple Logistic Regression was used to determine independent predictors of child feeding adequacy. Results: About 66% of children were exclusively breastfed while the rest were not. Ninety- three percent of the children were currently breastfeeding and 69% of children were initiated to complementary feeding at 6 months. With respect to adequacy of child feeding, 89% of infants had been breastfed, about 77% had been fed a diverse diet and 68% were fed the minimum number of times in the 24 hours preceding the survey. Univariate associations between maternal and child characteristics and child feeding adequacy showed that maternal education (p = 0.03), child morbidity in the past month (p = 0.03) and maternal perception of child’s feeding (p < 0.01) were all significantly associated with child feeding adequacy. A multiple logistic regression model, that controlled for age, sex and child morbidity in past month showed that the number of people who usually feed the child (p = 0.03) and maternal perception about the child’s feeding (p<0.01) were independently associated with child feeding adequacy. Conclusion: Child feeding adequacy did not differ significantly by exclusive breastfeeding status. The number of people who were usually feeding the child and maternal perception about child’s feeding were independently associated with child feeding adequacy.