BREAST-FEEDING PRACTICES IN URBAN RIYADH

Three hundred and forty-seven mother-infant pairs attending a well bab y clinic in a University Hospital in Riyadh were interviewed on the ty pe of feeding given to their infants. The objective was to assess the latest trend of infant feeding practices in an urban population and to compare present trends and their significance with previous reports. Results showed that 32.4 per cent of infants at 3 months and 22.1 per cent of infants at 6 months were exclusively breastfed; 18.2, 48.4, an d 65.4 per cent were exclusively bottle fed at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year respectively. Weaning foods were added between 3 and 6 months to a very high percentage of infants. Insufficient breast milk and ref usal of breast by the infant were among the most common reasons for in troduction of bottle feeds.