To assess infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in Lebanon and investigate their associations with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors.

A cross-sectional national survey was conducted in 2012–2013. In addition to a socio-demographic and lifestyle questionnaire, a 24-h dietary recall for the children was collected, with mothers as proxies. IYCF practices were assessed based on the 2021 indicators of the WHO.

Lebanon.

Children aged 0–23 months and their mothers (n 469).

While the majority of infants were ever breastfed (87·6 %), the prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding (BF) in those under 6 months of age was 11·0 %. Early initiation of BF was 28 %. A greater child’s birth order, partner’s support for BF, higher parental education, maternal BF knowledge and non-smoking were associated with higher odds of meeting BF recommendations. As for complementary feeding, 92·8 % of children (6–23 months) met the minimum meal frequency indicator, 37·5 % met the minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and 34·4 % met the minimum adequate diet (MAD). The consumption of unhealthy food was observed amongst 48·9 % of children, with nearly 37 % consuming sweet beverages. Older maternal age and maternal overweight/obesity were associated with lower odds of meeting MDD and MAD, while child’s age and partner’s support for BF were associated with higher odds.

The results documented suboptimal IYCF practices amongst Lebanese children and identified a number of factors associated with these practices. Findings from this study will help guide the development of culture-specific programmes aimed at improving IYCF practices in Lebanon.

Breast-feeding in the first 6 months of life is critical for ensuring both child health and well-being. Despite efforts to improve breast-feeding practices, recent studies have reported that Myanmar continues to have low rates of exclusive breast-feeding.

A community-based breast-feeding promotion programme using trained community members was implemented for 1 year in hard-to-reach townships of Myanmar. The present study assessed the breast-feeding practices using a cross-sectional survey of 610 mothers of children under 2 years old: specifically, breast-feeding within 24 h, exclusive breast-feeding up to 6 months and breast-feeding duration.

Using Cox models for breast-feeding duration before 24 months, the hazard of breast-feeding cessation was lower in programme v. non-programme townships (hazard ratio (HR)=0·55; 95 % CI 0·32, 0·95). Mothers who worked as shop owners or ran a family business had lower hazard of breast-feeding cessation (HR=0·13, P<0·05) v. those who worked as supervisors, managers, self-employed and businesswomen. The hazard of breast-feeding cessation was higher in women in higher wealth quintiles v. those in the lowest quintile (lower quintile, HR=3·49, P<0·1; higher quintile, HR=3·50, P<0·1; highest quintile, HR=3·47, P<0·1).

The intervention did not affect exclusive breast-feeding practices or breast-feeding within the first 24 h. Potential reasons include existing high levels of early initiation of breast-feeding due to ongoing government-led maternal and child health activities, and social and traditional practices related to complementary feeding. Community-based breast-feeding programmes should continue to promote exclusive breast-feeding and develop strategies to support working mothers.

To assess the nutritional status and dietary practices of 0–24-month-old children living in Brazilian Amazonia.

Cross-sectional study. Information on children’s dietary intakes was obtained from diet history data. Weight and length were measured for anthropometric evaluation. Fe status was assessed using fasting venous blood samples; Hb, serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor concentrations were measured.

The towns of Assis Brasil and Acrelândia in the state of Acre, north-west Brazil.

A total of sixty-nine randomly selected 0–24-month-old children.

Of these children, 40·3 % were anaemic, 63·1 % were Fe-deficient, 28·1 % had Fe-deficiency anaemia and 11·6 % were stunted. Breast-feeding was initiated by 97·1 % of mothers, followed by early feeding with complementary foods. The dietary pattern reflected a high intake of carbohydrate-rich foods and cow’s milk, with irregular intakes of fruit, vegetables and meat. All infants and 92·3 % of toddlers were at risk of inadequate Fe intakes. Fe from animal foods contributed on average 0·5 % and 14·3 % to total dietary Fe intake among infants and toddlers, respectively.

Poor nutritional status and inadequate feeding practices in this study population reinforce the importance of exclusive breast-feeding during the first 6 months of life. Greater emphasis is required to improve the bioavailability of dietary Fe during complementary feeding practices.