Abstract
Introduction: Exclusive breast-feeding has many advantages over nonexclusive feeding; better growth and lower risks of infections being most important. The aim of this study was to find the hospital prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding, find any differences in growth and morbidity patterns in babies who were exclusively breast-fed as compared to those who were not.
 Methodology: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study over a period of one year which enrolled infants 1.5 months, 2.5 months, 3.5 months and 5 months of age who were on exclusive breast-feeding or non-exclusive feeding and who had not been started on semi-solid foods. Growth and morbidity patterns were recorded. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 25. Continuous variables were reported as median [IQR] while categorical variables were reported as absolute number (%). Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used to find the level of significance respectively.
 Results: The hospital prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding was found to be 62%. Weight for age was significantly higher in infants who were on exclusive breast-feeding (p=<.05) at 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 months of age. Similarly length for age was higher in infants at 1.5 months (p=.034) of age but there after no difference was seen. Undernutrition was seen in 5.5% of non-exclusively fed infants as compared to 0.9% of exclusively breast-fed babies (p=<.001). Illnesses like pneumonia, diarrhea, ear infection and urinary tract infection were seen more in infants who were on nonexclusive feeding as opposed to infants who were exclusively breast-fed (p=<.05).
 Conclusions: Exclusively breast-fed babies have betier growth in terms of weight and lesser morbidities as compared to those babies who are non-exclusively fed.
Highlights
OF SEMI-SOLID FOODS Eva Gauchan* Affilia on1
Undernutri on was seen in 5.5% of non-exclusively fed infants as compared to 0.9% of exclusively breast-fed babies (p=
Diarrhea, ear infec on and urinary tract infec on were seen more in infants who were on nonexclusive feeding as opposed to infants who were exclusively breast-fed (p=
Summary
Both World Health Organiza on (WHO) and UNICEF recommends ini a ng breast-feeding within an hour of birth, exclusive breast feeding to all infants un l six months of age and con nued breast-feeding up to the first two years of life or more with introduc on of age-appropriate nutri onally acceptable semi-solid foods star ng from the sixth month of age.[1] Op mal and appropriate feeding in the first two years of a child's life are cri cally important so that he achieves adequate growth and development It ensures lesser morbidi es and lowers mortality. Giving an infant these alternate sources of feed will not provide them with the dis nct advantages provided by breast milk
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
