Breast and complementary feeding practices in relation to morbidity and growth in Malawian infants

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare growth, morbidity incidence and risk factors for undernutrition between infants receiving complementary feeding early, before 3 months of age, with those receiving complementary foods after 3 months in a poor rural Malawian community. METHODS: A cohort of babies was enrolled at birth for follow-up to 12 months of age. Weight, length, morbidity and feeding patterns were recorded at 4 weekly intervals from birth to 52 weeks. RESULTS: Mean age at introduction of water was 2.5 months (range 0-11.8), complementary foods 3.4 months (range, 1.0-10.7) and solids 4.5 months (range 1.2-13.8). Over 40% of infants had received complementary foods by 2 months and 65% by 3 months. The proportion of exclusively breast-fed infants, which included those receiving supplemental water, was 13% at 4 months, 6.3% at 5 months and 1.5% at 6 months. Infants with early complementary feeding had lower weight for age at 3 and 6 months (P<0.05), and at 9 months (P=0.07) and at 2 months they were approximately 200 g lighter. Early complementary feeding was significantly associated with increased risk for respiratory infection (P<0.05), and marginally increased risk for eye infection and episodes of malaria. Maternal illiteracy was associated with early complementary feeding (OR=2.1, 95% CI 1.3, 3.2), while later complementary feeding was associated with reduced infant morbidity and improved growth. CONCLUSION: Breast-feeding promotion programmes should target illiterate women. Greater emphasis is required to improve complementary feeding practices.