Problem of Infant Feeding Practices: Implications for Immediate Action

  • Muzief Munir Departement of Child Health, Universitas Sam Ratulangi Medical School /Gn. Wenang Hospital, Manado, North Sulawesi
  • I. Mustadjab Departement of Child Health, Universitas Sam Ratulangi Medical School /Gn. Wenang Hospital, Manado, North Sulawesi
  • T.H. Rampengan Departement of Child Health, Universitas Sam Ratulangi Medical School /Gn. Wenang Hospital, Manado, North Sulawesi
  • F.H. Wulur Departement of Child Health, Universitas Sam Ratulangi Medical School /Gn. Wenang Hospital, Manado, North Sulawesi
Keywords: infant feeding practice, child health, breastfeeding

Abstract

A survey on infant feeding practice and its problems was conducted in an attempt to improve child health, particularly during the first two years of age, during which breast feeding should be the infant's main food.

Allthough breast feeding was a generally accepted norm of infant nutrition durring the first year of age, the majority of infants were not breast fed after one year of age. It was clearly observed that early stopping of breast feeding, particularly during the first six months of age, not only increased the risk of

malnutrition, but also increased the risk of diarrheal diseases, which in turn affected significantly the nutritional status.

Early introduction of supplementary food, particularly around three months of age reduced the risk of malnutrition. Since the practice of breast feeding naturally decreases after six months of age, the improvement of the types and quality of supplementary food is important indeed, to maintain the beneficial effects of breast feeding.

References

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Published
2021-12-20
How to Cite
1.
Munir M, Mustadjab I, Rampengan T, Wulur F. Problem of Infant Feeding Practices: Implications for Immediate Action. PI [Internet]. 20Dec.2021 [cited 13Dec.2024];23(1-2):32-6. Available from: https://www.paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/2892
Section
Developmental Behavioral & Community Pediatrics
Received 2021-12-20
Published 2021-12-20