Despite serious negative consequences for child health and survival, in developing countries normative breast feeding practices differ from those recommended among >50% infants under 4 months. We examined early infant dietary data from a recent prospective study in rural Guatemala (n=247) for evidence that feeding practices in the first 7 days are related to maternal subjective reports of the post partum timing of milk let down and perceptions of infant needs. During the first week 99% infants consumed some breast milk (BM), 95% received BM on the first day any substance was fed and few (<0.5%) were formula fed. However, only 40% were put to the breast within 1 hr of birth, only 62% reportedly consumed BM on the first day, and only 28% were exclusively breast-fed (EBF). The remaining infants were breast fed almost exclusively (1%), predominantly (63%) or partially (7%), or mixed fed with formula (5%). Among non-EBF infants, non-nutritive substances were first consumed at 1.1 ±0.4 days, non-BM foods were first consumed at 3 ±1.8 days and 54% were fed non-BM substances in a bottle. Broad differences in feeding pattern, frequency of night-time breast feeding and in the specific types of non-BM substances given and ages at first introduction were associated with delayed sensations of let down, perceived milk insufficiency and maternal concerns about infant appetite and illness. Results suggest that strategies to support breast feeding in this and similar populations should focus on key factors influencing maternal decisions about infant feeding in the perinatal period.
Learning Objectives: 1. Create 5 indicators of adequacy of early infant feeding. 2. Recognize the complexity of measuring early infant diets. 3. Discuss the need for further research into the links between maternal factors and perinatal infant diets.
Keywords: Breast Feeding, International MCH
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.