Maternal perspectives on infant feeding practices in Soweto, South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To (i) describe the infant feeding practices of South African women living in Soweto and (ii) understand from the mothers' perspective what influences feeding practices.

Design

Semi-structured focus group discussions (FGD) and in-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted, and data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Setting

Soweto, South Africa.

Participants

Nineteen mothers were stratified into three FGD according to their baby's age as follows: 0-6-month-olds, 7-14-month-olds and 15-24-month-olds. Four mothers from each FGD then attended an IDI.

Results

Although mothers understood that breast-feeding was beneficial, they reported short durations of exclusive breast-feeding. The diversity and quality of weaning foods were low, and 'junk' food i

SUBMITTER: Wrottesley SV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10195334 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature