Infant feeding practices and beliefs in one community in the Sierra of rural Ecuador: a prevalence study.

Resumen

Infant feeding practices and beliefs of 54 women in one rural community in the Sierra of Ecuador are described. Breastfeeding was nearly universal, with a mean duration of 16.9 months: males were weaned gradually, which was significantly different from the sudden weaning of females. Infants' diets were supplemented at a mean 9.7 months; first food included soup, meat broth, oats, and grains. Males' diets were supplemented significantly earlier than females. Mothers reported 16 months as the best weaning age. The best age to begin supplementing breast or bottle was 8.8 months. Milk, soup, meat, oats, "all foods," and vitamins were believed to help produce breastmilk. Most mothers said they would give a bottle if they were unable to produce breastmilk.