Author(s): Wordu GO and James OF

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the infant feeding practices of mothers in a rural community (Rumuji) in Emuoha Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Across-sectional survey research design was adopted for the study. Sample sizes of 150 respondents were selected from the population of nursing mothers in Rumuji using random sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. The questionnaire had two sections, A-B and 16 items. Data collected was analyzed using frequency, percentages and presented on tables. The results revealed varying demographic characteristic of the respondents. It showed that the respondents from 20-30 years participated more in the study with the highest frequency of 48%. The results also revealed that most of the nursing mothers were married (76%). The findings also indicated that most of the nursing mothers were non-educated (68%) and majority of them were Christian (80%). It also showed that farmers participated more with the frequency of (47.3%). The results also revealed that most of the mothers did not practice exclusive breastfeeding (85.3%), and majority (86%) practiced breast feeding. The foods introduced as complementary foods were below standard as those foods were low in protein and other nutrients.