Practices among mothers regarding breastfeeding and its determinants– a study in an urban population of Kashmir.

Uruj Altaf Qureshi; Mariya Amin Qureishi; Shahzada Muhammad Salim Khan

Volume : IX, Issue : IV, April - 2019

Practices among mothers regarding breastfeeding and its determinants– a study in an urban population of Kashmir.

Uruj Altaf Qureshi, Mariya Amin Qureishi, Shahzada Muhammad Salim Khan

Abstract :

The current study was conducted to assess the eastfeeding practices among mothers and its determinants in urban population of Kashmir. The target population included all the mothers with children aged 0–5 years attending under–5 clinic in SMHS hospital, Srinagar. The study design was descriptive cross–sectional study, with convenience sampling . Data were collected by using pre–tested semi–structured questionnaire that inquired information on socio–demographic characteristics, obstetric, health service and eastfeeding related factors. Results: In our study, 70.8% of the mothers exclusive eastfed their babies until 6 months of age. A total of 65.2% of the mothers initiated eastfeeding within 1 hour of normal delivery. Most common cause of delay in initiation in eastfeeding was caesarian section (72.6%) . Majority, (92%) received colostrum as first feed. Pre–lacteal feed was given in 20.3% of newborns. Sugar was given as a major pre–lacteal feed followed by honey and dates. The practice of exclusive eastfeeding among infants upto six months could be improved by incorporating lactation counselors in health system during antenatal period. We need to explore ways to improve legal support for all working mothers for supporting eastfeeding.