BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES AND THEIR DETERMINANTS AMONG MOTHERS OF INFANTS AGED LESS THAN ONE YEAR ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTH INDIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
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Keywords
Breastfeeding; Exclusive breastfeeding; Early initiation; Determinants; Maternal factors; Infant nutrition; India
Abstract
Background: Optimal breastfeeding practices are essential for improving infant survival, growth, and development. Despite global and national recommendations, adherence to early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding remains suboptimal in many settings, particularly in developing countries like India.
Objectives: To assess breastfeeding practices and identify their determinants among mothers of infants aged less than one year attending a tertiary care hospital in North India.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to October 2020 among 200 mothers of infants aged <1 year. Participants were selected using consecutive sampling. Data were collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic details, obstetric history, infant characteristics, and breastfeeding practices. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. Associations between variables were assessed using Chi-square test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Among the participants, 48% initiated breastfeeding within one hour of birth, while 61% of infants aged 0–6 months were exclusively breastfed. Prelacteal feeding was reported in 29% of cases, whereas 84% of mothers practiced colostrum feeding. Early initiation of breastfeeding was significantly associated with vaginal delivery, higher maternal education, and adequate antenatal care. Exclusive breastfeeding was significantly associated with maternal occupation, breastfeeding counseling, and rural residence. Mothers who received counseling and those who were homemakers demonstrated higher adherence to recommended practices.
Conclusion: Breastfeeding practices in the study population were suboptimal, particularly regarding early initiation. Multiple socio-demographic and healthcare-related factors influenced these practices. Strengthening breastfeeding counseling, promoting institutional support for early initiation, and addressing barriers among working mothers are essential for improving outcomes. Focused public health interventions are needed to enhance optimal breastfeeding practices.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan
Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College & Research Centre, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr. Manisha Rathi
Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar, Telangana, India.
Dr. Pramod Garg
Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Noida International Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
