Coulibaly Nadine Mireille Josepha Danielle^1,, Ouedraogo Cesaire Tania^{1, 2}, Zeba Augustin Nawidimbasba¹, Sorgho Hermann³, Somda Manituo Aymard Serge^{4, 5}, Ouedraogo Jean-Bosco^{3, 6}

Knowledge of infant feeding practices is important for developing strategies that can help to improve infant nutrition. In this work, we described breastfeeding practice in a rural community in Burkina Faso. We followed forty-six mothers who agreed to exclusively breastfeed their babies up to 6 months. Anthropometry was used to assess the infants’ nutrition status and the deuterium oxide dose-to-mother technique applied to estimate the babies’ breastmilk intake (BM) and non-milk oral water intake (non-BM). We found out malnutrition was present during all the follow-up, with a high rate of wasting at the first month (18.6%) and also at 6 months (22.7%). The BM intake increased significantly (p=0.0000) from 570.0 ± 205.7 g/day at birth month to 848.5 ± 175.6 g/day at 2-3 months and reached the maximum of 923.1 ± 184.2 g/day at 4-5 months. Non-BM consumption was minimal at 4-5 months (9.5 ± 67.4 g/day) and maximal at 6 months (187.5 ± 191.6 g/day). Looking at the cross-sectional measurements, the exclusive breastfeeding practice (EBF) was optimal at 4-5 months (88.4% (95% CI:78.8-98.0), n=43) but the longitudinal evaluation since birth revealed that this rate was significantly lower (55.0% (95% CI: 39.6-70.4), n=40, p=0.0007). The study showed there was a hidden inadequate practice of EBF up to 6 months, contrary to the commitment and report of the mothers. Our results will supplement the existing information on breastfeeding practices in the country.

infant nutrition, breastmilk intake, exclusive breastfeeding, deuterium oxide dose-to-mother technique