KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES OF MOTHERS TOWARD STARTING OF COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING FOR THEIR INFANTS

Abstract

Objectives: The feeding practices in the early age of pediatrics regarded as a key intervention to improve child health. Furthermore, the optimal nutrition during the first two years of infancy can effectively lower the morbidity and mortality in addition to decrease the risk of future chronic disease. This study aimed to assess infant feeding practices among Iraqi mothers. Method: A cross-sectional study was done on a convenient sample of mothers in Baghdad – Iraq. Data collection was done by using a validated questionnaire specifically designed for this study. Result: Most participated mothers prefer to start feeding their infants at the age of 6 months and continue milk feeding up to 2 years. Regarding practices, 19% of mothers inaccurately stopped breast/ bottle feeding during diarrheal episodes. 43% misused appetizer drugs or multivitamins to enhance child feeding. Less than 40% of participating mothers start giving egg white, honey, nuts and vegetable soup earlier than the recommended time. Conclusion: This study reveals a good level of knowledge about starting of feeding for most participating mothers although there are some practices which followed by the small proportion of mothers that necessitate educating the parents about the proper feeding practices.