Study of Socio-Demographic Factors Affecting Infant Feeding Practices in an Urban Area of Punjab

Optimal infant and young child feeding practices rank among the most effective interventions to improve child health. Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers. Many factors affect the feeding practices including education of mother, awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding. So this study was done to know the factors affecting the infant feeding practices.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine of SGRD Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar. All the mothers of infants were included in the study. House to house survey was done to collect information about demographic profile, feeding practices and socio cultural factors affecting the feeding practices.

It was observed that 53.7% mothers started breast feeding next day, 30.4% mothers started breast feeding the same day and 16% started breast feeding immediately. Pre lacteal feed was given by most of the mothers (89.5%). The common pre lacteal feed given was honey (67.3%). The colostrum was given by 59.1% of mothers. Weaning after 6 months was started by 53.3% mothers while 46.7% started after 4 months. Education had a significant association with age at weaning (p=0.018).

The present study revealed that various inappropriate feeding practices are prevalent in the community. Health and nutrition programmes should be concentrated on counselling of the mothers regarding breastfeeding especially exclusive breastfeeding.