The Deuterium Oxide-to-the-Mother Method Documents Adequate Breast-Milk Intake among

Background: The WHO recommends that exclusive breastfeeding should last up to 6 mo. However, human milk intake of Sri Lankan infants has not been quantified scientifically. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to measure the human milk intake of Sri Lankan infants during the first 6 mo of age and to document the breastfeeding practices of their mothers. Methods: Forty-eight healthy mother-infant dyads were randomly recruited for this cross-sectional study at well-baby clinics. Milk intake was measured using the deuterium oxide‐to-the-mother technique over a period of 2 wk. Information on breastfeeding practice and living standards of the participants were gathered using an interviewer-administered questionnaire.