Infant feeding practices in the Peruvian Amazon: implications for programs to improve feeding.
Gwenyth Lee1, Maribel Paredes Olortegui2, Sylvia Rengifo Pinedo2
1Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America, lcaulfi1@jhu.edu.
Summary
Exclusive breastfeeding rates are low in Peruvian Amazon infants, with many receiving solids too early. Improved infant feeding programs are needed to enhance nutrition and reduce child malnutrition in vulnerable communities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Global Health
- Maternal and Child Health
Background:
- Infant feeding practices are critical for child development and nutritional status.
- Understanding local feeding patterns is essential for effective public health interventions.
- Child malnutrition remains a significant challenge in vulnerable populations worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize infant feeding practices in a Peruvian Amazon community.
- To inform the development of targeted nutrition and malnutrition reduction programs.
- To assess the relationship between feeding practices and maternal/household factors.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 246 infants (birth to 8 months) in Santa Clara de Nanay, Peru.
- Data collected via three structured questionnaires on breastfeeding, solids introduction, and complementary feeding.
- Analysis included maternal, infant, and household characteristics, and food insecurity.
Main Results:
- Median exclusive breastfeeding duration was 19 days; 46.1% of days exclusively breastfed within 180 days.
- 68.3% of infants received semi-solid/solid food between 0-6 months; all received by 8 months.
- Minimally acceptable complementary diet consumption was low: 2.9% (6mo), 7.9% (7mo), 16.1% (8mo).
Conclusions:
- Despite near-universal breastfeeding initiation, programs should focus on extending exclusive breastfeeding duration.
- Interventions are needed to delay the introduction of non-breast milk liquids and solids before 6 months.
- Enhancing food diversity and feeding frequency during complementary feeding is crucial for improving infant nutrition.
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