EFFECT OF EARLY COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING AND BREAST FEEDING TYPES ON THE RATE OF INFANT DIARRHOEAL AND CHEST INFECTIONS IN OGUME COMMUNITY, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Eighty-nine infants, between 2-6 months were randomly selected in Ogume community.  Their mothers were interviewed using questionnaires guide in order to derive information on breastfeeding practices and associated diarrhoeal and respiratory infections.  Results show that (24.7%) and mixed (59.6%) breastfeeding.  Mixed feeding was started in 40 infants between 23 months, and 9(22.5%) and 12(30.0%) exclusive breastfeeding was low 15.7%, compared with predominant breast feeding 84.3%.  a greater proportion of these infants 56.2% had early introduction of complementary feeds, compared to 43.8% who had timely introduction. 12(30.0%) of these infants had episodes of diarrheal and chest infections, respectively.  The community needs education on the benefits of appropriate breastfeeding practices.