Cry, the beloved bottle: infant-feeding knowledge and the practices of mothers and caregivers in an urban township outside Bloemfontein, Free State province

  • Suna Maria Kassier University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Frederick Johannes Veldman University of KwaZulu-Natal
Keywords: Infant feeding practices, South Africa

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate knowledge of and practices regarding bottle-feeding preparation, as well as the nutrient content and microbial safety of bottles that are prepared by mothers and caregivers for infants aged 0-24 months. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive survey. Setting: Urban township, Mangaung, outside Bloemfontein. Subjects: A sample of 189 mothers or caregivers of healthy infants aged 0-24 months, who were exclusively formula fed or mixed fed with breast milk and infant formula or cow’s milk, were randomly selected in a household survey. Outcome measures: An interviewer-administered questionnaire and/or observed practices were used for data collection. Bottle-feed samples were also collected and analysed for nutrient and microbial content. Results: Mother and caregiver knowledge on infant feeding was poor. An acceptable method for preparing a bottle feed in five steps was evaluated. Only 4.2% of the total sample applied all five steps. A total of 84.5% (n = 160) of all the collected feeds was contaminated with E coli. A lower level of maternal education was associated with a greater likelihood of feed contamination. The predominant source of bottlefeeding preparation information was clinic staff (28%). Conclusion: The findings were indicative of a lack of knowledge, and possibly resource limitations, to facilitate safe bottle-feeding practices. Acknowledgement of clinic staff as a source of infant-feeding information highlights the role of healthcare workers as facilitators of appropriate infant-feeding practices.

Author Biographies

Suna Maria Kassier, University of KwaZulu-Natal
MSc Dietetics, RD(SA) Lecturer Discipline of Dietetics and Human Nutrition University of KwaZulu-Natal
Frederick Johannes Veldman, University of KwaZulu-Natal
PhD Nutrition, RN(SA) Professor Discipline of Dietetics and Human Nutrition University of KwaZulu-Natal
Published
2012-11-04
How to Cite
Kassier, S., & Veldman, F. (2012). Cry, the beloved bottle: infant-feeding knowledge and the practices of mothers and caregivers in an urban township outside Bloemfontein, Free State province. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 26(1), 17-22. Retrieved from http://www.sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/637
Section
Original Research