Infant care and feeding among nomadic Turkana pastoralists: Implications for fertility and child survival

Relationships between infant care and feeding practices, the growth of nurslings, maternal and infant health and morbidity, and fertility among a group of nomadic Turkana pastoralists of northwest Kenya are investigated. Primary objectives of the study are: (1) to provide baseline data on the frequency and intensity of breastfeeding among Turkana women and infants; (2) to identify effects of periodic environmental and nutritional stress on breastfeeding, supplementation, and weaning; (3) to determine the degree to which seasonal patterns in the timing of conceptions and births among nomadic Turkana are mediated by seasonal variation in breastfeeding frequency and intensity, and in availability of supplemental foods; (4) to examine the growth and morbidity of Turkana nurslings, and the health and nutritional status of Turkana mothers, in relation to infant care and feeding practices.; The age of infants, and the season of the year contribute significantly to variation in breastfeeding frequency and intensity, and in supplementation. Inter-mother variation in feeding practices is mediated by seasonal patterns in the labor demands of the pastoral system, as well as by the size of the herding unit. Breastmilk supplements are introduced early, but full weaning does not occur until the end of the second year, and is determined by the timing of the next conception. A seasonal pattern in conceptions may be linked to reduced intensity and frequency of suckling during the late dry season, among children between the ages of 9 and 13 months.; There is an effect on the fatness of children of fat stores of their mothers, and the intensity of that effect changes, depending on the season. Both mothers and nurslings are thinner during the late dry season than during the early dry season. The physical status of girls is more strongly linked to that of their mothers than is the case among boys. Fatness of mothers also has an effect on frequency of serious illness among nurslings.; Results of the present study show clearly the complexity of relationships between maternal and child health, infant care and feeding practices, and seasonal constraints on those practices among nomadic Turkana. ftn*This research is supported by NFS grant BNS-8718477.