Mothers' Knowledge and Practices about Complementary Feeding for their Breast-fed Children at El Behaira Governorate

Background: Adequate nutrition is critical to child health and development. Growth
during the first year of life is greater than at any other time after birth. Improving infant and
young child feeding practices is therefore critical to improved nutrition, health, and
development of children. Objective: This study aimed to is to assess mothers' knowledge and
practices about complementary feeding for their Breast-fed Children at El Behaira Governorate.
Setting: The study was carried out at El Behaira Governorate. Subjects: The study sample
included 400 mothers. Tools: Data was collected through face-to-face interviewing
questionnaire of mothers’ with breast fed children. Results: More than half of the mothers (59%)
knew that the age of six months is the ideal age for starting complementary feeding, despite that
it was practiced by 9% only. The majority of the mothers (95.0%) knew that the cup and spoon
are the correct method for food introduction. However 42.8% used bottle with teat in feeding
their infants the first feed. More than three quarters of the mothers (79.8%) not able to define
complementary feeding as introduction of foods besides breast-feeding. The majority of the
mothers (99%) defined weaning as cessation of breast-feeding. More than half of mothers (59%)
involved in this work knew that the infant should consume 2-3 meals /day at age of 6-8 months
which was correct answer. Less than half of mothers obtained poor score of knowledge
regarding complementary feeding. Infant and young child feeding practices in this study were
scarce. Conclusion: There was general lack of awareness of some major recommended practices
regarding complementary feeding. Recommendations: This study recommended implementation
of health education program in primary health care settings to improve and support the
breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices among mothers. Longer paid maternity leave
at least for 6 months and reduction in working hours are also recommended.