Feeding Practices among Jalari (Fishermen) Population‐An urban Slum Scenario

Abstract

Majority of the developing and developed nations have accepted that the breast-milk, for the newborns, is the best balanced and nutritious food as it protects infants from infections and imparts immunity when it is initiated from the 1st day of delivery. The present study is attempted to analyze the breast feeding practices among the urban slum lactating mothers of Visakhapatnam, a costal city of South Eastern part of India. The present sample of study of lactating mothers is 161n lactating mothers, randomly selected between the ages 15 and 35 years. The present study has revealed the following interesting facts. In this study, 90% of the mothers have initiated breast feeding to their newborn babies on 3rd day of delivery instead of 1st day.40% of the mothers have squeezed out their 1st day breast milk(colostrums) under the influence of superstitions. All most all the mothers have offered pre-lactated foods(sugar and water) to their newborns. Most of the individuals under investigation prolonged the lactation period up to 2 years. The complementary foods were introduced to their newborns in between 6th and 8th months of the infancy..The estimated frequency of feeding per day is 6–10 times. Majority of lactating women started resuming menstruation from 8th month of delivery onwards. Many details are furnished in the full text.