ABSTRACT
Introduction Poor feeding practices are a major threat to social and economic development. Not breastfeeding significantly increases risk for a large number of acute and chronic diseases including lower respiratory infection, ear infections, bacteraemia, bacterial meningitis, urinary tract infection, and necrotizing enterocolitis. This study will provide evidence about factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and will highlight level of problem in community Objective: To find out various factors affecting Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) & complementary feeding practices among the mothers of Udaipur city Method: A total of 210 mothers were interviewed who were randomly selected from the outpatient department over a period of 6 months in this cross sectional study. An oral consent was taken from the participating mothers Results: Out of total, 69.05% mothers gave prelacteal feeds to their babies. 54.76% of mothers had initiated breast feeding within 1-4 hour of birth. Only 33.81% babies were given exclusive breast feeding for six months. 17.14%, 13.81% and 22.38% mothers were counselled about breastfeeding by local health worker, doctor and relatives respectively, while 46.67% were not counselled at all Conclusion: Prelacteal feeds was given in nearly two third of babies. Only one third mothers gave colostrum to their babies.Exclusive breastfeeding was received by only one third babies. Less than 10% of babies were breastfed for 2 years. The association was statistically significant between exclusive breastfeeding and factors like place of delivery, numbers of Antenatal visits, education and occupation of mother