ABSTRACT:
This study compared the infant-feeding methods of 378 urban mothers and 356 rural mothers. We collected information by means of a questionnaire. The weights of infants were taken by means of an Avery scale and milk intake was assessed by the test-weighing method. The results showed that all mothers breastfed their children and introduced milk formula or other milks at some stage. All urban mothers had stopped breastfeeding by 12 months, but 27.5% of rural mothers breastfed 1 year or more. A majority of the mothers (87.1% rural and 78.6% urban) reported that they stopped breastfeeding when they thought the child was old enough to stop. And although urban and rural mothers said they started weaning their children for similar reasons, 33.9% of urban mothers weaned their babies within the first 9 months of life compared to 6.7% in the rural area. Urban infants were heavier within the period surveyed. This article includes recommendations for increasing the duration of breastfeeding and improving availability of weaning foods.
Journal of Nutrition Education 04/1987; 19(2):83–89. DOI:10.1016/S0022-3182(87)80108-5
W A T
