Abstract
Introduction: WHO advocates for exclusive breastfeeding in infants till six months of age. Exclusive breastfeeding has been estimated to reduce 70% of infection related mortality in children. This study aims to elaborate the current trend of breastfeeding and its impact on common infectious morbidities in children.
 Methods: This study was a prospective longitudinal study done at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital with a sample size of 103 infants. Detailed proforma including sociodemographic data, breastfeeding related data and morbidities were collected at one and half months of life. The patients were followed up at 6 months of age again and the same proforma was again filled up. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 20.0 and various associations were elucidated. 
 Results: A total of 103 infants were analyzed. Males were 58 in numbers with mean birth weight of the infants being 3048±537 grams. Breast feeding was initiated within an hour in around 37%. At one and half months of age, 63% reported of exclusive breastfeeding which decreased to 23% at 6 months of age. Breastfeeding for at least 45 days decreased the incidence of Acute Respiratory Infections(ARI), Acute Otitis Media(AOM) and diarrheal diseases although statistically significant difference was found with only ARIs. 
 Conclusion: Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding is low in the study. The study has also shown that breastfeeding significantly reduces incidence of common infectious morbidities in infants.
Highlights
World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for exclusive breastfeeding in infants till 6 months of age
WHO states that five leading causes of death in children below five years include preterm birth complications, pneumonia, birth asphyxia, diarrhea and malaria.[4]
Ethical clearance was obtained from Institutional Review committee (IRC) of Kathmandu Medical College prior to data collection
Summary
WHO advocates for exclusive breastfeeding in infants till 6 months of age. Exclusive breastfeeding has been estimated to reduce 70% of infection related mortality in children. Breast feeding has been regarded globally as an effective and inexpensive intervention to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality.[1] World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) recommend initiation of breast feeding within an hour of birth and that breast feeding be continued for at least six months of life with no other foods and liquids. After six months of life, the child should be continued on breastfeeding along with age appropriate complementary feeding.[2] The different biological components of breast milk, Submitted: September, 2018 Accepted: January, 2019 Published: 24 April, 2019 such as secretory IgA and IgG, play a supporting role in developing immune system to fight infections. Half of all diarrheal episodes and one-third of respiratory ailments in children under five years of age can be prevented with proper breastfeeding practices in low and middle income countries.[6]
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