Study of pattern and perception of exclusive breastfeeding and factors affecting breastfeeding among the mothers of Jabalpur

Richa Singh; Dr Nandita Sarkar; Dr Smita Pathak

Volume : VIII, Issue : VI, June - 2019

Study of pattern and perception of exclusive breastfeeding and factors affecting breastfeeding among the mothers of Jabalpur

Richa Singh, Dr Nandita Sarkar, Dr Smita Pathak

Abstract :

Background – Exclusive eastfeeding means that an infant receives only east milk from his or her mother or a wet nurse, or expressed east milk, and no other liquids or solids, not even water, with the exception of oral rehydration solution, drops or syrups consisting of vitamins, minerals supplements or medicines. But it has been observed that the practice of eastfeeding is not properly followed by mothers. Aims: To study the pattern and perception of exclusive eastfeeding and factors affecting east feeding practices among the mothers. Materials & Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted by collecting data in a pretested questionnaire from 500 mothers who visited outpatient department of Pediatrics department in NSBC Medical College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh between July 2015 to August 2016. Results – Approximately 49.6% of mothers initiated east feeding within the first hour after delivery and 28.4% of respondents gave pre–lacteal feed to infants in whom the most common feed was honey (52.11%). The majority of respondents (78.4%) were aware of exclusive eastfeeding. 79.6% of the respondents know the importance of east feeding. Among participants who did not gave exclusive eastfeed after delivery, the most common type of milk given other than east milk was infant formula milk (49.07%) and cow milk (35.18%). Conclusion – The study finding indicates that mother’s educational status and type of family were significantly associated with exclusive eastfeeding. There is still lack of awareness regarding east feeding among mothers of Jabalpur region of Madhya Pradesh which can be improved by more intensive work by health care providers.