Lactating Mothers’ Weaning Practices in Lamingo, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Weaning is the introduction of the first solid foods to infants and maintenance of breastfeeding by demand up to two years of age. The first months of infants’ life are characterized by rapid growth and development and cultural, occupational and educational factors could influence these various weaning practices. This descriptive, cross-sectional, community-based study among 219 breastfeeding mothers, in Lamingo assessed weaning practices among them. Methodology: The participants were selected using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using pre-tested, semi- structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires and analysed using Epi-Info version 3.4.5 software. Results: Most 104(47.0%), of the respondents had a good knowledge on weaning practices. One hundred and sixty seven (76.3%) of them introduced weaning foods at the age of 6 months. Majority; 87(39.7%) of the respondents gave their children ‚gwete, a local porridge made from hungry rice with ‚vegetables‛ as the first food. The knowledge of weaning practices was significantly influenced by the mothers’ level of education (p=0.0045). Conclusion: This study showed that most of the respondents had good knowledge on weaning practices, but were ignorant on what weaning meant. Therefore, it was recommended that mothers should be educated on the importance of weaning to the growth and development of the child.