Table 1 Feeding practice variables and scoring system used to construct the infant feeding practice index, Ethiopia, 2019

Timely Initiation of breastfeeding

0 = after 1 day

1 = within 24 h

2 = within an hour

Prelacteal feeding

0 = Yes

1 = No

Colostrum feeding

0 = No

1 = Yes

Exclusive breastfeeding

0 = No

0 = No

2 = Yes

2 = Yes

Frequency of breastfeeding per day

0 = No breastfeeding

0 = No breastfeeding

0 = No breastfeeding

0 = No breastfeeding

0 = No breastfeeding

1 = less than 8 times

1 = less than 8 times

1 = less than 8 times

1 = less than 8 times

1 = less than 8 times

2 = 8–11 times

2 = 8–11 times

2 = 8–11 times

2 = 8–11 times

2 = 8–11 times

3 = > 12 times

3 = > 12 times

3 = > 12 times

3 = > 12 times

3 = > 12 times

Continued Breastfeeding at 1 year

0 = No

0 = No

0 = No

0 = No

0 = No

1 = Yes

1 = Yes

1 = Yes

1 = Yes

1 = Yes

Bottle feeding

0 = Yes

0 = Yes

0 = Yes

0 = Yes

0 = Yes

1 = No

1 = No

1 = No

1 = No

1 = No

Introduction of solid/semi-solid/soft food

0 = Yes

0 = Yes

0 = No

0 = No

0 = No

1 = No

1 = No

2 = Yes

2 = Yes

2 = Yes

Minimum dietary diversity

0 = less than 3 food types

0 = less than 3 food types

1 = only 3 food types

1 = only 3 food types

2 = 4 & more food types

2 = 4 & more food types

Minimum meal frequency

0 = no food taken

0 = no food taken

1 = 1–2 times a day

1 = 1–2 times a day

2 = 3 or more times

2 = 3 or more times

Minimum acceptable diet

0 = No

0 = No

1 = Yes

1 = Yes

Consumption of iron rich food

0 = No

0 = No

1 = Yes

1 = Yes

On demand BF

0 = No

0 = No

0 = No

0 = No

0 = No

1 = Yes

1 = Yes

1 = Yes

1 = Yes

1 = Yes

Active feeding

0 = No

0 = No

0 = No

1 = Yes

1 = Yes

1 = Yes

Potential score

0–13

0–9

0–9

0–15

0–15