Infant feeding in urban low‐income households in Ethiopia: I. The weaning process

Data on infant feeding and weaning among low‐income urban households in Ethiopia are presented. Prolonged breastfeeding remains universal among all ethnic and religious groups represented. Both cultural factors and economic constraints militate against the use of commercial infant foods and against early supplementation. Survival data analysis shows that weaning is initiated at the mean age of 9.2 months, and completed at the median age of 20.0 months. The seasonal availability of weaning foods influences the commencement of weaning. The local concept of weaning places emphasis on the termination of breastfeeding rather than on supplementation, or the introduction of weaning foods. As a result, weaning foods are basic and monotonous. The evidence suggests that weaning is a gradual process for the majority of cases.

Key words:

• Breastfeeding
• Ethiopia
• infant feeding
• survival