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

practices for children age 6-23 months are defined as continued breastfeeding, feeding at least the
minimum number of times per day (according to age), and feeding from the minimum number of food
groups per day. However, not all infants and young children are breastfed. Therefore, for nonbreastfed
children, the criteria reflected under “feeding practices” are receiving replacement feeding (that is,
commercially produced infant formula, tinned, powdered, or fresh animal milk, cheese, yogurt, and
other milk products), being fed at least the minimum number of times, and eating from the minimum
number of food groups for nonbreastfed infants and young children.
As an integral part of the national nutrition strategy, various approaches have been developed
by the Nutrition Department of the Ministry of Health, including the creation of awareness of growth
monitoring and the timely introduction of complementary food and feeding practices. The National
Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding was developed in 2003 and includes training of health
workers on IYCF counseling and conducting a workshop on IYCF for all the nutrition and health
education staff in all thirteen districts (MOH, 2004c). Moreover, the Nutrition Department of the
MOH is working closely with Alola Foundation and UNICEF to organize mother’s support groups to
enhance knowledge of timely initiation of proper feeding practices. In 2010, doctors and midwives
were trained on IYCF practices and counseling in order to provide appropriate services and support to
communities.
Figure 12.5 and Table 12.6 highlight infant and young child feeding practices among children
age 6-23 months living with the mother. About 30 percent of children age 6-23 months are fed
according to all three IYCF practices; that is, they are given milk or milk products and foods from
recommended food groups and are fed at least the recommended minimum number of times. Seventyeight
percent are given breast milk or milk products, 54 percent are given the recommended number
of foods (food from three or more groups for breastfed children), and 55 percent are fed at least as
often as recommended.
These feeding practices are better among children age 12-17 months. For example, 25 percent
of children age 6-8 months are fed according to IYCF recommendations, compared with 37 percent of
children age 12-17 months. The findings indicate that there is no significant difference in feeding
practices by sex of the child, residence, or mother’s education. However, children who are born to
mothers in the higher wealth quintiles are more likely than other children to be fed according to
recommendations.
Figure 12.5 Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)
Practices
100 Percent
80
60
40
20
0
59
41
95
Breastfed
5
Nonbreastfed
Breastfeeding status
All 6-23 months
70
30
Not fed with all 3
IYCF practices
Fed with all 3
IYCF practices
Timor-Leste 2009-10
Nutrition of Children and Women | 159