Breastfeeding and weaning practices in Saudi Arabia

A National Child Health Survey was conducted during 1987 for which a stratified multi-stage sampling was done. Out of the 8482 mothers interviewed 6131 had at least one live birth 5 years or less before the survey. Eighty-two per cent of the currently breastfed children, were less than 6 months of age, but only 55 per cent of the infants up to 1 month of age were breastfed without supplementation. The mean interval between supplementation and weaning for all age groups of mothers was 7.7 months. The predominant causes of weaning were child reaching suitable age and mother not having enough milk. This study establishes base line information about feeding practice on a nationwide basis in Saudi Arabia.