Infant feeding patterns in Mexico were analyzed using data from the 1988 National Nutrition Survey. The prevalence of breast-feeding among infants declined from 86% at birth to approximately 40% after three months of age. The hazard rate of terminating breast-feeding increased by 38% at the national level and by 87% in the northern region with each increment in household living conditions, decreased 50% in rural municipalities in the south and decreased by 20% in all regions for each month that the introduction of other milks was delayed. The rate of other milk introduction increased by between 16% and 20% at the national level and within the central and southern regions with each household living condition increment but decreased by between 20 to 30% within indigenous or rural. Finally, the probability of solid food introduction increased by between 8 and 15% with each household living condition increment.
PIP: Infant feeding patterns are important determinants of child health and survival. This paper reports findings from an analysis of infant feeding patterns in Mexico using data from the 1988 National Nutrition Survey. Information was obtained on 7426 children younger than five years of age and 19,278 women aged 12-49 years from 13,236 surveyed households. 1518 children under one year old were included in the analysis, 52% of whom were male. At the national level, the prevalence of breastfeeding among infants declined from 86% at birth to approximately 40% after three months of age. The hazard rate of terminating breastfeeding increased by 38% at the national level and by 87% in the northern region with each increment in household living conditions, decreased by 50% in rural municipalities in the south, and decreased by 20% in all regions for each month that the introduction of other milks was delayed. The rate of other milk introduction increased by 16-20% at the national level and within the central and southern regions with each household living condition increment, but decreased by 20-30% within indigenous or rural areas. The probability of solid food introduction increased by 8-15% with each household living condition increment.