MATERNAL AND INFANT YOUNG FEDDING PRACTICES AMONG NURSING MOTHERS

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MATERNAL AND INFANT YOUNG FEDDING PRACTICES AMONG NURSING MOTHERS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Poor feeding practices during the first two years of life have both immediate and long-term consequences. It is estimated that improper feeding of children leads to about one-third of the cases of malnutrition worldwide.

Ensuring health, growth and development of children requires adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood. Therefore, optimal feeding during the first two years of life provides opportunity for prevention of growth faltering and under-nutrition. Hence, Improvement of infant feeding practices for children less than two years should be a high priority globally. A global strategy for optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) was set up by World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in order to reduce malnutrition among the children. The strategy ecommends early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and introduction of appropriate, adequate, and safe complementary foods along with continuing breastfeeding up to two years and beyond. Improving infant and young child feeding practices is important to reduce under-nutrition and its consequences

Breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices can prevent up to 19% of all childhood deaths in low-income countries if adequately promoted and practiced. However, questions arise about the level at which current recommendations are implemented. In Uganda and some other countries in Africa, high use of pre-lacteals (fluids given before initiating breastfeeding at birth) and poor exclusive breastfeeding practices has been reported. It is estimated that fewer than 50% of children under 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed in low-income countries, where the relative benefits of optimal feeding are greatest. In Nigeria, an estimated 2,300 children less than five years lose their lives daily, in which sub-optimal IYCF practices play a major role, despite a range of policy initiatives to improve (IYCF) practices. It has been reported that Inappropriate IYCF practices account for more than 40,000 disability-adjusted life years in Nigeria by contributing to lost productivity among children under 5 years. The national study in Nigeria revealed that early initiation of breastfeeding significantly decreased by 4.3% between 1999 and 2013 while exclusive breastfeeding remained unchanged. It also showed that predominant breastfeeding significantly increased by 13.1%, and children ever breastfed declined by 16.4% over time.

Previous reports have shown that non practice of exclusive breastfeeding is a risk factor for a number of diseases, including diarrhea and upper respiratory infections. Feeding practices during infancy are critical for the growth and health of a child during the first two years of life [8] and of importance for the early prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. Progress in improving IYCF in the developing world has been reported to be remarkably slow due to several factors. The risks of early childhood survival in Nigeria are to be considered. A newborn Nigerian baby has a 30 times higher chance of dying before the age of 5 years than a baby born in the developed, industrialized countries.The report of a research showed that the regional prevalence of diarrhea, under-nutrition and under five mortality in Nigeria are far more prevalent in the northern than in the southern part of Nigeria. There is the need to focus attention on the promotion of feeding practices at the household level that are beneficial to the survival of children and caregivers in Nigeria. The above studies indicate the need for a comprehensive strategic plan that is achievable to improve IYCF practices in Nigeria, and to build on previous policy initiatives of past years. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess current status of infant and young child feeding practices as reported by mothers and caregivers in two local government areas, Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria.

Statement of the problem

There may have been previous researches in this subject. This work gives further explanations and analysis in maternal and infant young feeding practices among nursing mothers. There have been growing need for the inquest on the challenges of infant and maternal health as regards their feeding practices. Public health safety of infants and their mothers are becoming a serious factor to consider.

Objectives of the study
To understand the impact of infant young, and maternal feeding practices on their health safety.
To understand the relationship between maternal, and infant young feeding practices and their health safety

Research questions
What is the impact of infant young, and maternal feeding practices on their health safety.
What is the relationship between maternal, and infant young feeding practices and their health safety