Nurturing the Future: Examining Breastfeeding Practices and Nutritional Health Among Amazonian Kichwa Mothers and Infants

Abstract

This study examines the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Amazonian Kichwa (AK) breastfeeding mothers and infants, focusing on cultural influences on early nutrition patterns. Using a descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional approach, thirty women self-identified as AK women and their infants from two rural and one urban area in Ecuador were studied. The study found that 89% of mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding and showed promising signs of attachment and breastfeeding techniques. However, 81% were unaware of the "exclusive" breastfeeding practice scope and its benefits. Nutritional status was determined using Z scores, with the median BMI for age within the normal range. This study highlights the need to consolidate knowledge and promote breastfeeding practices to later generations, despite increased exposure to urbanization and modernization in the Amazonia region of Ecuador.