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The article presents an examination of how maternal influence on child feeding modified the deterioration of child nutritional status in Chad. Data were collected cross-sectionally in October through December of 1988 among agricultural households in a Sahelian area of Chad. Among 84 households randomly chosen, 64 with preschoolers were surveyed. Regression analyses are presented for individual children and for groups of children, according to annual age and mother's influence. Group regression using variances as weights yielded identical results. For older children, the mother's influence did not affect nutritional status during the first year, possibly because the more favorable situation permitted children to grow relatively well then. However, for children born after 1983, the mother's influence may have buffered the negative impact of deteriorating conditions. Age, parity, or socioeconomic status were not significantly different for the two groups of mothers, but mothers with influence were more likely to influence household food expenditures.