IYCF Practices, Beliefs, and Influences in SNNP ... - Alive & Thrive

Mothers explained that husbands are primarily responsible for work on the farm and bringing foodhome for household consumption, although some mothers said that they, too, go to the market to buyfood. Food purchasing is often done by the father, but in many cases the fathers provides money to themothers to purchase food from the market herself. The role of other family members appears to be tothat of preparing food and feeding the child mainly during the mother’s absence. In most of theobservations, the mother alone prepared food and fed her child, although in one case the mother’smother and sister helped to maintain the cooking fire and prepare the food.In terms of offering advice, mothers in all three communities overwhelmingly mentioned HEWs as theirmain source of information on child feeding. Within the home and community, mothers mentioned thatthey receive advice on feeding from their own mothers or mothers-in-law, especially advice related tobreastfeeding and introduction of foods. Of the mothers who practice non-exclusive breastfeeding andearly introduction of foods, most said that these practices are customary in their community and spokeof being influenced by their mothers, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, and sometimes village elders.Neighbors and other mothers were also cited as sources of advice in two of the communities.Husbands appear to influence child feeding practices indirectly, primarily in their role as provider and asthe one who controls family finances. While only two mothers mentioned their husbands as a directsource of advice, many who discussed giving or not giving certain foods explained that they do so basedon their husband’s advice or approval. In some cases, mothers said they would be able to followrecommended practices, such as increased feeding frequency and quantity or giving specific types offood, if their husband provided the food or gave them money to buy food. HEWs are convinced that theavailability of different food items and support from family members are the key reasons behind somechildren getting enough to eat.When asked what more could be done to promote child feeding in communities, some mothers as well asfathers and grandmothers suggested that an effort should be made to increase involvement of fathersand other family members in supporting mothers in child feeding. Suggestions included providing themother with more help in the home, as well as for fathers providing more food from farm land, sellingfarm products to purchase food, or bartering within the community to access more foods. VCHPs andHEWs all agreed that fathers and other family members could all play a larger role, and that theyshould be given more information on child feeding and being included in promotion activities.The majority of mothers feel that HEWs are the best source of advice. Other mothers prefer receivingadvice from their elders or mothers-in-law, who can share their own experience raising children, whileothers like to seek advice from promoters or an educated person living in their community.“HEWs are the best to give advice. They are knowledgeable; they know more aboutfeeding than community leaders. Traditional birth attendants and religious leaders anddoctors know more than HEWs, but I prefer a person from the local area, who knows ourlocal language and I am not afraid of them. They come to our house every time and we canfind them easily.” -A mother in Misha“There is one farmer in our village, his name is Melesse, and he is educated. He tells ushow to feed children when we are gathering. The community elders and HEWs also give usadvice” -A mother in Misha26