Role of anthropology in young infant feeding

Abstract

Background : Infant feeding is crucial for growth and development of the child . It varies from one context to another including maternal HIV infection. Anthropologists examine infant feeding considering cultural, economic, political and historicalvariables in a single framework . Archival evidence showed reduced mortality among children breastfed from1860-1930. Historical sources provide evidence fo r variation of infant feeding practices and can be triangulated with ethnographic studies to suggest the best infant feeding options . Team research by anthropologists and health professionalscould generate data that complement one another thus producing ev idence that best informs policy makers on young infant feeding. Method : Using Cochran library, PubMed , Medline and Google scholar search engines and terms “Research on infant feeding among HIV -infected mothers co-authored by anthropologists and pediatricians from 2000 – 2014’’ . A narrative literature review was conducted to determine the magnitude of anthropological and pediatric research triangulation to create an awareness of the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration on young infant feeding. Resu lts : No studies were co-authored by anthropologists and pediatricians . Conclusion : There is insignificant collaboration between anthropologists and pediatricians in research on young infant feeding. Recommendation : Infant feeding policy changes need research collaboration betweenpediatricians and anthropologiststo enhance understanding of cultural and ecological contextual variation