Breast-feeding and weaning practices in Venda, 1990

A stratified random cluster survey, using a structured interview schedule, was performed to determine the prevalence, frequency and duration of breast-feeding among Venda mothers as well as the foods that Venda children commonly ate in their first 2 years of life. Nearly all children under 2 years old were being breast-fed and virtually all of these were fed on demand. Approximately 60% of infants under 3 months of age and virtually all others under 2 years old received supplementary foods daily. A further 30% of infants under the age of 3 months were given supplementary water daily. Forty per cent of infants under 3 months old and virtually all in the other age groups were given carbohydrates daily. Protein foods, vitamin/mineral and high-energy sources were given less frequently. Only 12% in the 6-11-month age group and 21% in the 12-23-month age group received a balanced diet daily. A significant proportion of children in all age groups received only carbohydrates over and above breast-milk. Traditional mixes were infrequently given. More research is needed to assess actual breast-milk production by mothers whose children are being fed supplementary foods. The effect of socio-economic status on weaning practices and that of weaning practices on nutritional status need to be investigated. Food supplementation and nutrition education programmes need to be intensified.