Table 2 Operationalising the WHO feeding definitions during data analysis
Any breast milk | Infant given some breast milk during any or all or the 4 days prior to the home visit |
|---|---|
Any formula milk | Infant given any formula milk during any or all of the 4 days prior to the home visit |
Other milk | Breast milk if formula was the main milk given and vice versa |
Non-nutritive fluids | Glucose-water, sugar-water, tea/juice, traditional medicines and over-the-counter medicine |
Breast milk | Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF)- infant given only breast milk with or without prescribed medicines during all of the 4 days prior to the home visit. No other liquids or solids reportedly given during any of these 4 days. |
|  | Mixed breastfeeding (MBF) - Infant given breast milk and other fluids (non-nutritive or nutritive, including formula milk) or solids during any or all of the 4 days prior to the home visit. This includes infants who received mainly formula milk but who lapsed into exclusive breastfeeding during any of the four days prior to the home visit. Can be divided into 2 groups, viz: • Pred BF - infant given breast milk and other non-nutritive liquids only, during one or all of the 4 days prior to the home visit. No formula milk or solids given. • ParBF - - infant given breast milk and solids and liquids (nutritive or non- nutritive) during any or all of the 4 days prior to the home visit. |
No breast milk | Exclusive formula feeding (EFF) infant reportedly given only formula milk during all of the 4 days prior to the home visit. Breast milk and other solids or liquids reportedly not given during these 4 days. |
Longitudinal feeding variable with 4 mutually exclusive groups: These were generated based on the predominant feeding pattern per woman during the 20 days for which feeding data were available from 3-12 weeks (i.e. 4 days prior to the 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 weeks visits), and from 'ever breastfeeding' questions. | Longitudinal exclusive breastfeeding [EBF(l)] - the infant started out with exclusive breastfeeding and was still exclusively breastfeeding at 12 weeks. Exclusive breastfeeding defined as infant given only breast milk with or without prescribed medicines. Infants were excluded from this category if > 1 day of non-exclusive breastfeeding occurred between 0 and 12 weeks. |