Infant Feeding Practices in A Well Baby Clinic of A Tertiary Hospital in North Kerala

Abstract

Authors Dr Kavitha Pavithran, Dr Anil kumar Aalinkeel, Dr Ravikumar Payora Department of Pediatrics, A.C.M.E Pariyaram, Kannur. Kerala Corresponding Author Dr Kavitha Pavithran Department of Pediatrics, A.C.M.E Pariyaram, Kannur. Kerala. 670503 Email: kavashu@gmail.com Phone: 9446454969 ABSTRACT Aim and objective: To study the infant feeding practices among mothers accompanying infants in a well baby clinic. To evaluate the association between educational status and religion of mother and the feeding practice. Methods: A clinic based cross-sectional descriptive study among mothers accompanying infants for immunization and check up during a period of six months. Data was collected using a pre tested questionnaire Results: A total of 432 mothers and their infants were enrolled in the study. 19.8% of infants were given prelacteal feeds. All the babies received colostrum. 92.5% were initiated breast feeding within one hour after delivery. 97% of the mothers practiced breast feeding on demand. 72% of babies who were less than 6 months of age were exclusively breast fed. Among babies older than 6 months 71.6% were started on early complementary feeding and 2.1% of them were not on complementary feeding. Early initiation of breast feeding was significantly more in mothers with higher educational status. Exclusive breast feeding was less and artificial feeds usage was more in mothers with higher educational status. Religion also showed significant association with type and time of first feed. Conclusion: Despite higher rate of early initiation of breast feeding, colostrum feeding and demand feeding, exclusive breast feeding was comparatively low. Early initiation of complementary feeding was also noted. Knowledge and practice of infant feeding varied with religion and educational status of the mother