A Study on Feeding Practices of Young Infants

摘要

Background- Proper feeding practices are essential for complete physical, mental and psychological growth of the child. It takes care of two elements, malnutrition and infections. This study was conducted to study feeding practices like exclusive breast feeding, prelacteal feeds in young infants.Methods-This Community based cross sectional study was conducted among 150 mothers having children between 0-9months age group and data was collected using pre-tested questionnaire on breastfeeding practices in The Military Area, Patiala District, Punjab, India .Results: Only 40.6% of the women practiced exclusive breast feeding(EBF). Prelacteal feeds were given in 54.7% of the infants. Education has got no effect on exclusive breast feeding practices and administration of prelacteal feeds, may be these are influenced by family traditions. In maximum cases(36%) initiation of breast feeding was within 1-4 hours.Conclusions: Undesirable cultural practices such as giving pre-lacteal feeds, and late initiation of breast feeding are still prevalent among the mothers and these should be discouraged by proper IEC activities. . The study emphasizes need for breastfeeding intervention programmes Introduction We live in an era that has witnessed unbelievable gains in scientific understanding of breast milk. Breast milk provides young children the best start in life regardless of good or bad any single child’s life experiences may be. Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as providing only breast milk and no other liquids or solids except for those containing vitamins, minerals or medicines to the baby from birth(1) . Exclusive breastfeeding is considered superior at least until an infant is six months of age. Prelacteal feeds is giving some food before the baby is initiated to mother's milk. It also carries the risk of infections. Prelacteal feeds are not necessary as breast milk is easily digestible. Such feeds carry the risk of infection and delay the establishment of lactation. Breast-fed infants have lower rates of hospital admissions, ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, allergies, and other medical problems than bottle-fed babies. There is also markedly lower prevalence of overweight among breastfed than non-breastfed children(2) .Mothers milk is the most complete food available in nature because it provides all the nutrients in definitive proportions and are easily digestible. Other than nutrients, it also contains hormones, enzymes ,protective antibodies. It promotes overall growth and development of the child(physical, psychological, social, motor and mental development). Those children who had been fed breast milk in the early weeks of life shows 8.3-point advantage in intelligence quotient over those who received artificial milk. (3). Breast fed baby is likely to have more 1Q, of around 8 pts higher than non breast fed baby( 4) Breastfed infants shows greater motor activity than those fed with artificial milk (5).Keeping all these in view, the present study was conducted with an objective to study feeding practices in young infants . Material and Methods A cross sectional Study was conducted in the immunization clinic of Military hospital, Patiala among 150 women. Women having infants in the age group of 0-9 months were studied and interviewed on a pretested Performa. Detailed information was taken by questionnaire method regarding prelacteal feeds, exclusive breast feeding and timing of starting of breast feed on a prestructured , pretested proforma. Data collected was entered and analysed using statistical tools like percentages