Brief report. Breastfeeding and supplemental feeding for neonates in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

A prospective cohort study was carried out to determine the factors affecting initiation of breastfeeding, and describe patterns of breastfeeding and supplemental feeding in the multiethnically and culturally diverse population of Al Ain, UAE. Two-hundred-and-twenty-one infants completed the 4 weeks of follow up. None of the mothers opted not to breastfeed, but only 4 per cent of them practiced exclusive breastfeeding during the first month of the infants' life; 51 per cent of them initiated breastfeeding on the first day of life. Factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding beyond the first day of life included low birth weight, complicated delivery, ignorance of the advantages of colostrum, and young maternal age. Non-milk supplements fed to babies included water, tea, juice, yansun, and babunj (local herbal drinks). The preferred method of feeding the supplements was the feeding bottle. There were significant associations between the use of these supplements and the mother's nationality and education.

Exclusive Breastfeeding in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia

“…In Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates, only 4% of mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding during the first month of their infants' lives. 19 In Iran, a recent study reported that 82% of infants were exclusively breastfed during the first month of life, but this statistic decreased to 44% and 2% at the ages of 4 and 6 months, respectively. 20 A more recent study in Iran reported rates of 56.8% and 27.7% at 4 and 6 months of age, respectively, at the national level.…”

Exclusive breast-feeding among children attending well-baby clinic at Al-Eskan PHC Center, Makkah Al-Mokarramah

“…In Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates, only 4% of mothers practiced exclusive breast-feeding during the first month of their infants' lives. [20] In Iran, a recent study reported that 82% infants were exclusively breast-fed during the first month of life, but this statistic decreased to 44% and 2% at the ages of 4 and 6 months, respectively. [21] A more recent study in Iran reported rates of 56.8% and 27.7% at 4 and 6 months of age, respectively, at the national level.…”

Trends of Breastfeeding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

“…In 1997, it was reported that 70% of infants in a cohort in the city of Al Ain received non-milk supplements during the first month. Nevertheless, the wheel of change was slowly rolling with 51% of mothers starting breastfeeding on the first day after birth and 4% of infants exclusively breastfed during the first month [2].…”