Abstract
Background: Most mothers in Ogun State, Nigeria, start weaning their infants in the sixth month. The major weaning foods given
to the infants are corn pap, banana, fish and bean cake (moinmoin). The prevalence of malnutrition among infants in Ogun State is
still high. The lack of education of mothers and absence of encouragement of the need to wean their infants with nourishing comple
mented and fortified foods to enhance their nutritional status, are the major contributory factors to poor infant weaning practices.
Objective: The study assessed infant (0-2 years) feeding practices of mothers in Ogun State, Nigeria, with reference to Ikenne Local
Government Area and the nutritional status of these infants, based on their anthropometric indices.
Methods: This study involved 200 mother infant pairs who were randomly selected from various occupational groups in Ikenne Lo
cal Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. The data collected through structured and pretested questionnaire, was used to elicit
information, on feeding practices, and anthropometric measurements for height/length and weight of infants measured following
standard procedures. Descriptive statistics such as cross tabulation, frequency and percentages were used to analyse the data and
determine the relationship between the variables. Significance was accepted at P < 0>
Results: Weaning was initiated in most homes in the sixth month. Most of the infants studied (69%) were normal while some (10%)
were moderately malnourished and others were severely malnourished (21%). This study concluded that many of the infants studied
had normal nutritional status though at lower level to the WHO standard. It is worrying however that up to 31% of the mother-infants
relationship showed moderate to severe malnourishment owing to poor weaning practices employed. Proper nutrition education
given to the mothers and monitoring of the infants weaning practices will further ensure adequate nutrition of the infants.
