Abstract
A community-based, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted during June-July 2008 to assess the infant- and young child-feeding (IYCF) practices in Bankura district, West Bengal, India. In total, 647 children aged less than two years selected through revised 40-cluster sampling using the indicators of the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) and World Health Organization. The proportions of infants with early initiation of breastfeeding (13.6%) and exclusive breastfeeding under six months (57.1%) and infants who received complementary feeding at the age of 6-8 months (55.7%) were low. Appropriate feeding as per the IMNCI protocol was significantly less among infants aged 6-11 months (15.2%) and children aged 12-23 months (8.7%) compared to infants aged less than six months (57.1%), which could be attributable to low frequency and amount of complementary feeding. The main problems revealed from the study were late initiation of breastfeeding, low rates of exclusive breastfeeding, and inappropriate complementary feeding practices.
Highlights
Optimal infant- and young child-feeding (IYCF) practices are crucial for nutritional status, growth, development, health, and the survival of infants and young children [1,2,3]
Sex was not associated with early initiation of breastfeeding
Exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and timely introduction of age-appropriate complementary feeding are the key interventions to achieve the Millennium Development Goal 1 and 4, which address child malnutrition component of the targets and mortality respectively [1,14]
Summary
Optimal infant- and young child-feeding (IYCF) practices are crucial for nutritional status, growth, development, health, and the survival of infants and young children [1,2,3]. The poor complementary feeding practices mean that many children continue to be vulnerable to irreversible outcomes of stunting, poor cognitive development, and significantly increased risk of infectious diseases, such as diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection [3,5,6]. This has a tremendous impact in a developing country, like India, with a high burden of disease and low access to safe water and sanitation. Recent studies have underscored the role of IYCF practices in reducing child mortality [7,8]
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.
