Demographic and Health Surveys Methodology - Measure DHS

INFANT FEEDINGBREASTFEEDING AND COMPLEMENTARY FEEDINGStatistics: Percent distribution of children exclusively breastfeeding, fully breastfeeding,predominantly breastfeeding, and receiving complementary foodsDefinitionA. Coverage:Population base:1. Living children born 0 to 35 months before the survey.2. Time period: 24 hours before the survey.B. Numerators:1. Exclusive breastfeeding: Children who were given nothing but breast milk in the 24 hourspreceding the interview.2. Full breastfeeding: Children who were given either breast milk alone or breast milk plus plainwater in the 24 hours preceding the interview.3. Predominant breastfeeding: Children who were given breast milk, with optionally plainwater, water-based liquids (such as soft drinks), and/or juices in the 24 hours before thesurvey. Children given non-breast milk are excluded.4. Complementary foods: Children who were breastfed and given solid or semi-solid foods inthe 24 hours before the survey. Children may also be given non-breast milk.C. Denominator: Number of living children.CalculationNumerators divided by denominator and quotient multiplied by 100 to get percentages.Handling of Missing ValuesMissing data on breastfeeding: treated as not breastfeeding.Missing data on foods given: treated as not given.Notes and ConsiderationsAssumptionsChildren who are not the last-born are assumed not to have been breastfed in the 24 hours preceding thesurvey. However, all children of multiple births are treated the same.Guide to DHS Statistics 123 Updated September 2006