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. 2008 Feb 14;4(Suppl 1):24–85. doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2007.00124.x

Table 3.

Summary of educational messages given to mothers

Author Educational messages Message delivered by Message delivered at
Efficacy trials
Bhandari et al. (2001) Not specified: based on negotiating with mother changes that could be implemented in a feasible and sustainable way Community‐based workers Homes
Bhandari et al. (2004) a. Continue breastfeeding throughout 6–24 months Community‐based workers/health facility staff Homes, community centres, health facility
b. Start complementary foods at around 6 months: use thick purees, increase frequency with age
c. Use responsive feeding
d. Wash hands
e. Continue to feed sick child
Hotz & Gibson (2005) a. Give thicker porridges, instead of lighter porridges Community‐based workers Community centres
b. Use ARF to reduce viscosity
c. Add fish/meat to child's food if possible.
d. Add nutrient‐dense foods (e.g. egg, banana) to child's porridge
e. Serve child's food on a separate plate
f. Offer the child more food if inadequate portion sizes were consumed
g. Give nutritious snacks between meals
Kapur et al. (2003) a. Start complementary foods by 6 months Community‐based workers Community centres
b. Provide foods of appropriate consistency, quality and quantity
c. Give small, but frequent feedings
d. Initiate child to family food by 1 year
e. Include iron‐rich foods
f. Give vitamin C‐rich foods with meals
g. Cook food in iron vessels
h. Avoid Fe absorption inhibitors such as tea
i. Maintain good hygiene
Penny et al. (2005) 3 key messages: Health facility staff Health facility
a. Use thick purees instead of soups and at each meal give puree first
b. Add a special food to your baby's serving (e.g. chicken liver, egg or fish)
c. Teach your child to eat with love, patience and good humour
Roy et al. (2005) a. Prepare food with adequate energy and nutrient density using locally available foods Community based workers Community centres
b. Use separate feeding pot for child
Santos et al. (2001) a. Increase frequency of breastfeeds/complementary feeds Health facility staff Health facility
b. Give animal protein and micronutrient‐rich foods (egg, chicken liver, shredded chicken and beef)
c. Add oil to food
d. Increase energy and nutrient density by giving mashed beans instead of the broth and by giving thick papa instead of soup
Vitolo et al. (2005) Based on ‘Ten Steps to Healthy Feeding’: Community‐based nutrition educators Homes
a. Feed only breastmilk for up to 6 months
b. Gradually introduce other foods after 6 months while maintaining breastfeeding
c. Give CF 3× per day after 6 months
d. Ensure that no schedules impair the offering of CF
e. Offer ‘thick’ foods using spoons
f. Offer child different foods during the day
g. Stimulate daily consumption of fruits/vegetables
h. Avoid sugar and other junk foods
i. Pay attention to hygiene and proper handling of food
j. Stimulate sick/convalescent to eat
Gartner et al. (2007) Not specified
Guldan et al. (2000) a. Bottle feeding may be dangerous Community‐based nutrition educators Homes
b. Frequent suckling on demand is best
c. After 4–6 months give daily hard‐boiled egg yolk, at first mixed with some breastmilk, thereafter give thickened rice porridge and other foods
d. Baby needs breastmilk for at least a year and needs other foods daily
e. Use home‐produced food and the family diets
Guyon et al. (2006) Not specified, but emphasized, among others:
a. Promotion of feasible Essential Nutrition Actions that families can take
Age‐appropriate nutrition services and messages in the health system and the community
Hossain et al. (2005b) Not specified, but focused on: Community‐based workers Community centres
a. Breastfeeding promotion
b. Caring practices
c. Personal hygiene
d. Use of iodized salt
Kilaru et al. (2005) Not specified but based on: Community‐based workers Homes
a. Use of appropriate local foods and preparation of these foods
b. Appropriate feeding frequency
c. Gradually increasing food diversity
d. Complementary feeding followed by breastfeeding
e. Avoidance of feeding bottles
Lutter et al. (2006) Not specified: based on raising awareness about good early child nutrition Health workers Health facility
López de Romaña (2000) Not specified but based on: Community‐based workers Community centres
a. Nutritional needs of children of this age
b. Breastfeeding promotion
c. Preparation and administration of Ali Alimentu
Maluccio & Flores (2004) Not specified but based on: Community centres
a. Breastfeeding
b. Child feeding
c. Illness care
d. Household sanitation and hygiene
Rivera et al. (2004) Not stated Health workers Health facility
Schroeder et al. (2002) Not specified but based on: Community‐based volunteers Community centres
a. Breastfeeding
b. Food variety
c. Complementary feeding
d. Health care
e. Taking care of healthy children at home

ARF, amylase‐rich flour; CF, complementary food.