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Table 2 Selected characteristics of early breastfeeding practices by MAL-ED study site

From: Early interruption of exclusive breastfeeding: results from the eight-country MAL-ED study

MAL-ED study sites 1

BGD

INV

NEB

PKN

BRF

PEL

SAV

TZH

Initiation (%)

        

  Within 1 hour

60.9

59.1

40.8

7.4

46.3

73.7

59.7

83.2

  1 - 24 h

33.6

36.4

49.2

71.8

51.5

23.9

35.5

14.8

  1 - 3 d

5.1

4.5

9.2

18.6

1.3

1.4

2.6

1.6

  4 + d

0.4

0.0

0.8

2.3

0.9

1.0

0.0

0.4

  Never

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

2.2

0.0

Not fed colostrum (%)

1.6

9.9

3.4

16.4

1.7

2.7

4.5

8.6

Prelacteal feeding (%)

13.3

12.4

17.7

63.2

6.9

9.2

3.7

5.1

Exclusively Breastfed at 30 d (%)2

84.7

81.0

55.5

4.5

59.7

38.2

29.5

55.9

Fully Breastfed at 30 d (%)2,3

90.6

87.6

70.6

7.4

68.4

77.1

58.6

58.2

Partially Breastfed at 30 d (%)4

9.4

11.2

29.4

92.6

29.4

22.5

36.6

41.8

Completely weaned by 30 d (%)5

0.0

1.2

0.0

0.0

2.2

0.3

2.6

0.0

  1. 1Abbreviations: BGD Dhaka, Bangladesh; BRF Fortaleza, Brazil; INV Vellore, India; NEB Bhaktapur Nepal; PKN Naushero Feroze, Pakistan; PEL Loreto, Peru; SAV Venda, South Africa; TZH Haydom Tanzania.
  2. 2Based on multiple assessments through the first month of life, assessed at ~30 d.
  3. 3Those exclusively or predominantly breastfed, assessed at ~30 d.
  4. 4Those who have received formula, animal milks or semi-solids in addition to breast milk, assessed at ~30 d.
  5. 5Those no longer receiving breast milk (verified by subsequent reporting after ~ 30 d).