PDF, 1536K - Measure DHS

Information on supplementation was obtained by asking mothers about the current breastfeeding
status of all children under five years of age and food (liquids or solids) given to the child the day before
the survey. Even though information on breastfeeding was collected for all children born in the five years
preceding the survey, the tables on breastfeeding are restricted to children born in the three years before
the survey because most children are weaned by age three.
Table 11.2 shows the percent distribution of living children in the three years before the survey
by breastfeeding status. Contrary to the World Health Organization’s recommendation of exclusive
breastfeeding for up to the first 6 months of life, only 38 percent of Ethiopian children age 4-5 months
are exclusively breastfed. The table also shows that three in four children under 2 months of age are
exclusively breastfed, 10 percent are fully breastfed, 2 percent consumed breast milk and other waterbased
liquids, and 8 percent consumed other milk. Complementary food is generally not given to these
children. At 4-5 months of age, 2 out of 5 children continue to be exclusively breastfed, 18 percent had
plain water in addition to breast milk, 11 percent consumed other water-based liquids, 21 percent
consumed other milk and 10 percent consumed complementary food. The proportion of exclusively
breastfed children drops off to 1 out of 6 by the age of 6-7 months, and continues to decline thereafter.
Table 11.2 Breastfeeding status by child's age
Percent distribution of living children under three years of age by breastfeeding status, according to child's age in months,
Ethiopia 2000
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Breastfeeding and:
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Water-
Using a
Not Plain based Comple- bottle Number
Child's age breast- Exclusively water liquids, Other mentary with a of
in months feeding breastfed only juice milk foods Total nipple children
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