Selected facets of nutrition during the first 1 000 days of life in vulnerable South African communities : research

Background. Optimal nutrition during the first 1 000 days of life can reap lasting benefits throughout life. Objectives. To assess infant and young child-feeding (IYCF) practices and mother/caregiver-child anthropometry in two vulnerable Breede Valley communities, Western Cape. Methods. Mothers of children aged 0 - 23 months (N=322) were interviewed to assess IYCF practices. Anthropometric measurements of mothers/caregivers and children were performed according to standard procedures. Results. Mothers reported early breastfeeding (BF) initiation in 75.2% (242/322) of cases. Of infants < 6 months old, 38.5% (45/117) were recorded as exclusively breastfed (EBF). Cross-checking this figure with other research from the area, however, suggests significant over-reporting of EBF. One in five infants