Study links early complementary feeding with infant malnutrition in Kenya

A study of infants under 36 months old in a low-income area of Nairobi, Kenya, found that a "lack of information on exclusive breast feeding and low level of education for the mothers is the main cause of the frequent illness and malnutrition among infants," the East African reports.

The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute study examined complementary feeding practices among breastfeeding mothers and found that mothers "introduce complementary feeding to infants before the elapse of the 'critical window' period - considered important for the optimal growth, health, and development of an infant," the publication notes (Ligami, 5/22).