Bangladesh 1993-1994 Demographic and Health ... - Measure DHS

The results shown in Table 8.13 indicate that among newboms less than two months of age, 63percent were exclusively breastfed and another 12 percent were fully breasfed; however, one-quarter of thesevery young babies were already receiving supplemental foods or liquids. Among those age 2-3 months, abouthalf (47 percent) were exclusively breastfed and half were being given supplements. By age 8-9 months, only9 percent were being exclusively breastfed.Table 8.14 shows in more detail the types of food supplemention received by breastfeeding children.The results are striking. One in ten babies under two months of age is given infant formula. The use offormula increases steadily to 27 percent of children age 6-7 months and is given to about one-quarter ofchildren up to age 35 months. Almost equal proportions of children at every age group receive supplementsof infant formula, other milk and other liquids. Solid and mushy food items do not become an important partof the diet until at least age 6-7 months. After this age, the transition to giving solid and mushy foods assupplements is so slow as to be problematic; among children age 10-11 months, less than half are reportedlybeing fed any solid or mushy food. If true, this indicates severe nutritional deficits for infants in Bangladesh.However, since it is unlikely that children close to one year of age could survive long on a liquid diet, thepossibility that the question was misunderstood or that children's ages were overestimated should beconsidered.Table 8.14 l]reastfeeding and supplementation by agePercentage of breastfeeding children who are receiving specific types offood supplementation, by age in months, Bangladesh 1993-94Age in monthsPercentage of breastfeedingchildren who are receiving supplementationNumberInfant Other Other Solid/ offormula milk liquid mushy children