METHODS OF FEEDING CHILDREN AND FACTORS AFFECTING THEM ; PART ONE: METHODS OF FEEDING INFANTS AND FACTORS AFFECTING THEM

The infant feeding practices and the effects of factors such as mother’s educational level, primary health care, and family income on these practices in 531 households with 930 children 6-60 months of age were studied in rural areas of Sirjan (Kerman province), Iran. The findings indicate that the majority of mothers (85%) breastfeed their infants and 86% of babies are fed the colostrums. The age of supplementary food introduction in about one half of the children is 4-6 months. The main supplementary food is the family diet. Mothers often wean their children suddenly furthermore, the findings indicate that factors such as mother’s educational level, as well as appropriate and constant primary health care services can bring about desirable changes in these practices.