Feeding practices of infants in Lahore

The interview findings from mothers about feeding practices of their infants [n=600] from 3 months to 12 months, as determined in a cross sectional study in Lahore are presented. Initiation of breastfeeding was delayed till 3[rd] day of life in 70 percent of the infants, while prelecteal feeding; honey 69.88 percent was given on first day of life in 80 percent of the infants. Exclusive breastfeeding and exclusive bottle feeding was found in 17.50 percent and 20.3 percent respectively, while mixed breast and bottle feeding 61.66 percent was the most common feeding pattern through whole of infancy. Cow's milk with 1:1 dilution i.e. one part of milk and one part of water, was used by 56.96 percent mothers. Commercially available powered formula by 43.03 percent mothers was also noted in those cases who were either exclusively bottle fed or both breast and bottle fed. The weaning foods were started between 4-6 months in 24.94 percent, 7-9 months in 36.05 percent and 10-12 months in 39.00 percent infants. Compared with homemade semisolids 38.39 percent the commercially available foods were preferred by 60.90 percent mothers. The results of this study indicate that though breastfeeding is highly prevalent, yet is hardly exclusive and prelecteal and interlecteal feedings are highly common. Mixed breast and bottle feeding is the most common feeding pattern during infancy. The weaning foods are introduced late and are often inadequate