WEANING PRACTICES AMONG NURSING MOTHERS IN IBADAN NORTH-WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF OYO STATE: IMPLICATION FOR NUTRITION EDUCATION

Abstract

Weaning is a process by which foods other than breast milk are introduced gradually into the baby's diet, first to complement breast milk and progressively to replace it and adapt the child to the adult diet. Many risks are associated with weaning in most developing countries. Foods consumed by young children during this process are alarmingly inadequate in calories, protein and micronutrients resulting in growth "altering" and malnutrition. This study therefore aimed at determining the current weaning practices adopted by the nursing mothers as well as suggestion of programme approaches that can be effective in promoting appropriate and improved weaning practices for their infants. This descriptive study was carried out in 5 randomly selected cluster communities from the 10 wards in lbadan North West Local government area where total of 5 focus group discussions were conducted among the nursing mothers, follows by interviewing of 500 randomly selected mothers with children of ages 6 — months. The findings revealed that breastfeeding was found to be highly practiced among the mothers, early weaning with watery, maize-based/root / tubers/starchy grains and poor staples was widespread in lbadan North-west local government. Of the 500 nursing mothers, 299 (59.8%) started their children on complementary foods before 6 months. 79 (15.8%) of the mothers started after 6 months while. 113 (22.4%) started at the advocated age of 6 months. The most popular reason for introducing complementary foods was that mothers felt that breast milk alone did not satisfy their children any longer 338 (68.4%). Consequently, 326 (65.2%) of the mothers gave energy-based foods (maize based /roots and tubers/ starch grains) food; 85 (17%) gave commercial weaning foods (CWF); 55 (11.1%) gave protein-based foods (Legumes/animal products) and 31 (6.2%) gave energy-based combined with milk/egg/fish foods. However, consumption of legumes /animal products foods, fruits and vegetables was found to be very low among the complementary foods introduced to the children in lbadan North-west local government. Furthermore, the most popular reason given by respondents for introducing various types of complementary foods was that baby cry too often since breast milk alone can no longer satisfy than 223 (44.6%). Mothers' comments on bad weaning practices were identified; 103(20.6%) respondents identified poor environmental condition of the house while 32 (6.4%) of the mothers had mentioned giving of inadequate diet (such as C, practices. consequently, they regarded certain symptoms (such as diarrhea, vomiting maize- based, roots and tuber/ starchy grains only). 320(64.1%) mothers were unable to differentiate between problems due to teething and those related to their weaning, fever, constipation, poor appetite and cough) as natural teething processes, which every child must undergo. The results further showed that 230(46%) mothers introduced weaning foods before 6 months, 79(15.8%) after 6months while 181 (36.2%) mothers introduced food at the advocated age of 6months. LA significant association was found between (1) education of mothers and the age of the child when introduced to weaning foods (p=0.033), and (ii). Occupation of mothers and types of weaning foods given to their children (p-= 0.000). No significant association was found between occupation of the mothers and the age of the child when introduced to weaning foods (p= 0.069). Those mothers who introduced weaning foods to children at age of 6 months were very low. This is of great concern. These findings indicate that improper timing; the quality and quantity of weaning foods need to be corrected. The correction should commence with health workers and then the nursing mothers. Thus, health workers need to train and motivate mothers to practice appropriate weaning practices (i.e., well-timed and sufficient supplementation) to reduce dietary deficiency and early malnutrition. Key. Words: Weaning Practices, Nursing Mother, young children, weaning foods. Number of %%Port's: 489