Weaning Practices among Breastfeeding Mothers Local Communities of Enugu State Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Weaning is a time during which the mother and her new born baby are expected to adjust to the emotional and nutritional demands of life processes including weaning food required for growth and development. The purpose of this study was to determine the weaning practices of breastfeeding mothers attending Postnatal and Child Welfare services in rural communities of Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State-Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive research design was used. A convenient sample of 221 mothers was used. Interview guide was the instrument used for data collection. Results: Result revealed that only 5.0% of mothers had no formal educations. 50.2% of mothers were civil servants; 12.2% were students; 24.4% were traders. Only 11.8% were full time house wife. Only 40.7% actually know the real meaning of weaning. Sources of information include: Health workers; parent/sisters in laws; printed materials. All mothers breast fed their infants. Weaning was started as early as less than two months by 4.5% of mothers, while up to 82.4% started between 7-9 months of age. Discussion: Adult diet were introduced as early as the first two months of life; major sources of information were health workers, parents, husband and significant others. Weaning was started at less than two months of age but majority started from seven months and above. Reasons weaning the infant are varied: mother being pregnant, insufficient breast milk, wish of husband, mother and relations were the main reasons provided for starting weaning infants. Conclusion: Mothers were health educated on proper meaning of weaning, timing; and suitable local food mixes to use, as well as implications for poor weaning.