Demographic and Health Survey 2009-10 - Timor-Leste Ministry of ...

Table 12.4 also shows that the overwhelming majority of children under age 6 months were
breastfed six or more times in the 24 hours preceding the survey (98 percent). In line with
expectations, breastfeeding is slightly more frequent in the daytime than at night (mean number of
daytime feeds is 7 compared with 6 at night). The mean number of daytime feeds is highest among
children residing in Bobonaro district (8.5) and lowest among children in Dili (6.1).
Table 12.4 Median duration and frequency of breastfeeding
Median duration of any breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, and predominant breastfeeding among children born in the 3 years preceding
the survey, percentage of breastfeeding children under 6 months living with the mother who were breastfed six or more times in the 24 hours
preceding the survey, and mean number of feeds (day/night), by background characteristics, Timor-Leste 2009-10
Background
characteristic
Median duration (months) of breastfeeding
among children born in the last 3 years 1
Any
breastfeeding
Exclusive
breastfeeding
Predominant
breastfeeding 3
Percentage
breastfed 6+
times in last
24 hours
Frequency of breastfeeding
among children under 6 months 2
Mean number
of day feeds
Mean number
of night feeds
Number of
children
Sex
Male 17.3 2.3 3.0 97.6 6.9 6.0 502
Female
Residence
17.8 2.8 3.4 98.2 7.2 6.1 453
Urban 16.9 2.0 2.1 96.3 6.3 5.5 221
Rural
District
17.7 2.7 3.6 98.3 7.2 6.2 734
Aileu 19.6 5.5 6.3 96.3 6.2 5.2 44
Ainaro 19.2 4.5 4.8 97.2 6.2 5.0 49
Baucau 15.2 2.7 2.9 96.5 6.6 5.7 91
Bobonaro 16.5 * 3.8 98.7 8.5 6.4 103
Covalima 17.8 1.9 2.0 100.0 7.7 6.6 46
Dili 15.3 1.6 1.7 97.6 6.1 5.4 165
Ermera 18.5 2.6 4.3 100.0 7.8 8.0 141
Lautem 17.5 2.1 3.0 95.1 6.7 5.6 63
Liquiçá 18.5 4.2 4.8 98.7 7.8 6.7 60
Manatuto 17.1 * * 98.7 7.0 6.9 42
Manufahi 20.0 4.3 4.7 96.5 7.8 4.8 36
Oecussi 20.0 3.2 3.4 97.1 6.2 5.2 75
Viqueque
Mother’s education
14.3 (2.9) (3.1) 97.5 6.5 4.8 40
No education 18.7 2.7 3.7 99.0 7.4 6.4 330
Primary 17.6 2.7 3.3 96.7 6.7 5.8 244
Secondary 16.7 2.2 2.8 98.2 7.0 5.9 358
More than secondary
Wealth quintile
* * * 88.8 4.8 5.2 24
Lowest 17.3 3.1 3.6 97.7 7.1 5.9 211
Second 18.5 3.3 3.9 99.2 7.4 6.6 203
Middle 17.3 2.2 3.6 97.2 7.2 5.9 198
Fourth 18.6 2.5 3.2 97.3 6.9 5.8 167
Highest 14.0 1.4 1.6 97.8 6.3 5.9 176
Total 17.5 2.5 3.2 97.9 7.0 6.0 955
Mean for all children 18.2 4.0 4.4 na na na na
Note: Median and mean durations are based on current status. Includes children living and deceased at the time of the survey. Figures in
parentheses are based on 25-49 unweighted cases. An asterisk indicates that a figure is based on fewer than 25 unweighted cases and has been
suppressed.
na = Not applicable
1 It is assumed that non-last-born children and last-born children not currently living with the mother are not currently breastfeeding
2 Excludes children without a valid answer on the number of times breastfed
3 Either exclusively breastfed or received breast milk and plain water, and/or non-milk liquids only
12.5 TYPES OF COMPLEMENTARY FOODS
WHO recommends the introduction of solid food to infants around the age of 6 months
because by that age breast milk by itself is no longer sufficient to maintain a child’s optimal growth.
Table 12.5 shows information on the types of food given to the youngest child under 3 years of age
living with the mother on the day or night preceding the survey, according to their breastfeeding
status.
The percentage of children receiving solid or semisolid food increases gradually by age. It is
encouraging to note that at 6-8 months of age, about four in five breastfed children are consuming
solid or semisolid food (82 percent).
Nutrition of Children and Women | 157