Assessment of Breastfeeding Practices: Findings from Urban Slum Area at Ahmedabad City, India.

Introduction: Correct breast feeding technique, proper position and attachment are very important to get all benefits of breast feeding. Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) has also given utmost importance to the correct breast feeding technique. Objectives: To describe the socio-demographic profile and feeding practices among lactating mothers, to identify factors associated with good breast feeding (attachment) practices and to evaluate the impact of video demonstration on breast feeding practices immediately after and at one month follow up. Methodology: An interventional study was conducted at urban slums of Ahmedabad city, India. Results from 150 lactating mothers were analysed. Interactive sessions in conjunction with video demonstrations of IMNCI regarding correct breast feeding techniques were conducted among 9 groups of lactating mothers. Number of lactating mothers in each group varied from 15 to 20. Good signs of attachment were measured pre IMNCI video sessions, immediately and one month after the session. Results: Mean age of mothers was 26.44 years. Total mothers who had more than 6 antenatal visits were 59.3%. Two-thirds of lactating mothers did not receive any kind of breast feeding related advice. Only 8.0% had initiated breast feeding after 48 hours of delivery. Some kind of pre lacteal feed was given to 41.3% of the newborns. Improvement in all four signs of good attachment (mouth widely open, lower lip turned outward, chin touching the breast and dark skin seen more above than below areola) was seen among lactating mothers while feeding their babies after training session. Mothers from higher social class and with education > 12 standard and mothers who have received advice during antenatal and postnatal period regarding breast feeding were found to have significant positive impact on determining good attachment while breast feeding. Conclusion: Breast feeding related counseling should be continued at frequent interval during post natal period, so that lactating mothers can follow correct breastfeeding practices.