Infant feeding in urban low‐income households in Ethiopia: II. Determinants of weaning

Data on infant feeding in Ethiopia are analyzed with respect to two distinct features of weaning: the commencement and the completion of the process. Results of analyses using Cox's regression models indicate that infant‐centred factors such as the emergence of primary teeth and infant's appetite significantly hasten the commencement of weaning (p = 0.001, and p = 0.026, respectively). The completion of weaning is largely influenced by mother‐centred factors: a new pregnancy, breastmilk insufficiency, and maternal ill‐health. External factors such as the seasonal availability of weaning foods also determine the commencement of weaning. The variances in infant age at the initiation and completion of weaning (cv = 45.33 and 35.31, respectively), suggest that in reality, there is no set age for weaning infants. Infant's age is involved only indirectly in determining the timing of weaning. A combination of partly age‐related infant‐centred, mother‐centred, and external factors constitute some of the components of the weaning process. A probabilistic rather than a normative approach to the study of weaning is proposed.

Key words:

• Breastfeeding
• Ethiopia
• infant feeding
• weaning
• Cox's regression models