Breast feeding properties

Breast feeding status for neonates is currently managed via the NewbornOutcomes module. on_birth all neonates are able to take one of three breastfeeding statuses within the property nb_breastfeeding_status:

• 'none' - This infant will not be breastfed following birth
• 'non_exclusive' - This infant will be breastfed in conjunction with receiving other feeds/fluids/foods
• 'exclusive' - This infant will breastfeed exclusively

Probability of breastfeeding status at birth until 6 months is derived using a weighted random draw of these three possible statuses. The probabilities have been derived from the 2015 Malawi DHS by averaging prevalence of breastfeeding status at 0-1, 2-3, 4-5 months in mothers in Malawi and are in the model as p(none) 0.101 p(non_exclusive) 0.289 p(exclusive) 0.61.

Additionally, for mothers who will breastfeed from birth, we apply a probability that breastfeeding will be initiated within the first hour after birth. This is stored in the property nb_early_init_breastfeeding. A one off probability of early initiation is applied, again derived from the DHS, which varies between home birth p(0.67) and facility birth p(0.77).

We assume that status is fixed for the first 6 months and all breastfeeding neonates have their breastfeeding status reviewed at 6 months and again at 2 years. At 6 months we assume that exclusively breastfed neonates will either switch to non-exclusive or no breastfeeding. Neonates who have been non-exclusively breastfeeding since birth may continue or may stop breastfeeding.

At 2 years we assume all neonates have stopped breastfeeding.

Limitations:

• Breastfeeding status is not static