Gender Gap in Breast Feeding Child: Factors and Implications

Gender disparities among Indian families are not new scenario and such disparities are reflected in child care practices also. It has been already proven that proper and regular breastfeeding suppress postnatal fertility. This study examines implications and factors affecting breastfeeding decisions among the Indian women. Factors like, duration, contraception and traditional notions and its implications on breast feedings are investigated. Interestingly all these factors showed alarming amount of gender gap.

Breast feeding is heavily affected by preference of having sons. Due to this preference, after the birth of girl, parents continue to have children which further limits breast feeding of already born girl child and because of this reason daughter are dissuaded from breast feeding earlier compared to sons.