Infant feeding practices in a tribal community of Melghat region in Maharashtra state.

ABSTRACT

1. Out of 494 infants none was breastfed within 2 hours of delivery. 36% infants received first breastfeed after 24 hours of delivery 91.2% of the mothers used prelacteal feeds. 2. Only 31.06% of the infants were weaned, out of these only 7 received complementary foods between 4-6 months. 3. Thus, it can be concluded that though breastfeeding is practiced by all mothers, there is need for early initiation of breastfeeding and proper weaning habits.