Abstract
In order to investigate the knowledge and practices of mothers regarding breast feeding and complementary feeding and to assess their compliance with the health guidelines, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of infant complementary feeding and breast feeding practices was conducted in a sample of 230 mothers. Data was collected systematically from rural areas of Chowk Azam. A validated questionnaire comprising of questions pertaining to sociodemographic profile, knowledge and practices of breast feeding and complementary feeding practices was used. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and chi square test was applied.Our study resultsrevealed thatonly 18% mothers were practicing complementary feeding at the recommended age. About 72% of the respondents started complementary feeding before the recommended age of six months and 3% mothers started delayed complementary feeding. Around 6.5% mothers had children less than six months of age and did not start complementary feeding yet. Almost half of the respondents 56.3%were using the homemade complementary food, while less than a fourth i.e. 19.5% mothers were giving commercially prepared food to their children and rest of one-fourth mothers 24.2% were giving both types of food. We conclude that knowledge and practices of mothers pertaining to breast feeding and complementary feeding practices are at mixed levels, and their understanding aboutexact time of starting complementary feeding is suboptimal. There is a need to create awareness among mothers regarding theappropriate time of starting complementary feeding so that health status of the infants and children can be ameliorated.
Highlights
Feeding practices of infants are chief determinants of future physical and mental well- being because of rapid growth and development of tissues during the first year of life [1].Health status of child is immensely affected by the breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices
There is need to introduce the solid food at the age of six months [6, 7].Complementary food should be safe and nutritious and it should be introduced at appropriate time and in adequate amount [8]
In Pakistan complementary feeding practices are not according to the health guidelines and suboptimal feeding practices have been observed in various parts of the country [9, 10]
Summary
Feeding practices of infants are chief determinants of future physical and mental well- being because of rapid growth and development of tissues during the first year of life [1].Health status of child is immensely affected by the breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. After six months of age exclusive breast feeding is insufficient to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the rapidly growing child as a result incidence of stunting are highest in this age [5]. In Pakistan complementary feeding practices are not according to the health guidelines and suboptimal feeding practices have been observed in various parts of the country [9, 10]. The aim of present study is to describe the breast feeding and complementary feeding practices among mothers at Chowk Azam, Pakistan and to assess their compatibility with health guidelines
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