Promoting wholesome infant-feeding practices in India.

Abstract

Indias infant nutrition policy is based on the following strategies: 1) promotion of exclusive breastfeeding for the 1st 6 months of life; 2) gradual introduction of supplements such as animal milk and food items from the familys diet (cereals dahl and vegetables) after 6 months while continuing to breastfeed; 3) promotion of improved hygiene in the feeding and handling of infants; 4) education regarding the avoidance of and treatment of infections; and 5) regulation of the use of commercial infant foods. This strategy in turn requires attention to many other areas such as improvement of maternal nutrition through food subsidies to breastfeeding mothers the provision of workplace facilities for nursing increased availability of animal milk in rural areas training of health care personnel in feasible infant nutrition practices in poor communities improvements in the quality of biscuits in village shops increases in the outreach of health services a safer water supply education regarding the superiority of breast milk over commercial infant formulas and attention to hospital policies that deter mothers from breastfeeding. It is especially important that the poor who cannot afford to purchase commercial infant foods become convinced that less expensive supplements can confer the same benefits if used judiciously.