Publication: Consulting with Caregivers : Using Formative Research to Improve Maternal and Newborn Care and Infant and Young Child Feeding in the Lao People's Democratic Republic
Date
2004-10
ISSN
Published
2004-10
Author(s)
Gillespie, Anna
Creed-Kanashiro, Hilary
Sirivongsa, Deuanesay
Sayakoummane, Deuan
Galloway, Rae
Abstract
Improving maternal and newborn care and
young child feeding will decrease under five mortality and
malnutrition in developing countries. To help design
interventions in these areas, a study was conducted in the
Lao PDR. The study found that washing newborns after
delivery and delaying breastfeeding for 1-3 days are common
practices that may expose newborns to hypothermia. Few
caregivers practice clean cord care and exclusive
breastfeeding for the first six months, increasing the risk
of infection. Most women deliver at home without assistance
from a trained provider. They also restrict what they eat
based on traditional beliefs about foods thought to affect
mothers' health or breastmilk. Traditional beliefs also
determine how young children are fed. Most caregivers, when
asked to try four feeding recommendations for young children
(add or give more animal food, increase the amount of food,
number of feedings, and vegetables and fruits), were willing
to try and continue them. Many caregivers were surprised
about how much and what types of foods children can consume,
if they are encouraged to, and valued receiving new
information about how to improve young child feeding. The
study conclusions are that newborn care can be improved
using low-cost technologies such as keeping newborns warm by
deferring washing for 24 hours, and wiping, wrapping and
breastfeeding newborns immediately after delivery. Risk of
infection can be reduced by proper care of the umbilical
cord and by exclusively breastfeeding infants for six
months. What women eat can be improved by promoting the
consumption of certain foods that improve the quality and
quantity of breastmilk. To improve the feeding of young
children, messages are needed about how much and what types
of foods they require and how to encourage them to eat those foods.
Citation
“Gillespie, Anna; Creed-Kanashiro, Hilary; Sirivongsa, Deuanesay; Sayakoummane, Deuan; Galloway, Rae. 2004. Consulting with Caregivers : Using Formative Research to Improve Maternal and Newborn Care and Infant and Young Child Feeding in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. HNP discussion paper;. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/ec90337b-16df-5cba-8a09-337a5a441456 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”