Evaluation of Infant Feeding Practices from 0 to 9 Months: A Case Study of General Hospitals in Bonoua and Dabou, Côte d'Ivoire

The dietary regimen of infants during their first nine months is crucial for their growth and development, yet it often reveals suboptimal practices. A prospective descriptive study was conducted to evaluate the feeding practices of 120 infants aged 0 to 9 months. This study took place over a 7-month period in the general hospitals of Bonoua and Dabou. Socio-demographic characteristics, breastfeeding practices, and infant dietary diversification were determined using a questionnaire. The results indicated that the majority of infants were male 50.8%, delivered vaginally, and had a normal birth weight. Early breastfeeding initiation was observed in only 13.3% of infants, attributed to factors like mother-infant separation and cleaning 32.5%, infant sleepiness 27.5%, and maternal milk absence 15.8%. Moreover, over half of the mothers 55% were unaware of the importance of colostrum. Exclusive breastfeeding was practiced by merely 24.2% of mothers. Introduction of complementary foods began before 6 months in 65.8% of cases, with 44.1% starting before 4 months. Foods introduced early included water, fruits, industrial cereals, and "Anagobaka." Foods introduced later comprised vegetables, fruits, potatoes, starches, fish, eggs, meat, dairy products, and fats. In conclusion, awareness campaigns are essential to improve infant feeding practices in the cities of Dabou and Bonoua.