Preferences of Pakistani mothers about weaning of their child and trendsin child under nutrition: a cross sectional study

Objectives: .To know the mothers preferences about breast feeding, weaning foods and its association with nutritional status of their children

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Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out with 73 mothers having children aged between 6-1 8 months. Questions about weaning practices and weaning foods were asked. Children weight and height were taken

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Results: 69.9% of mother belonged to poor class having household income less than Rs 20,000. Only 24.7% were post matric while rest of mother's education was less than metric. 74% mothers think that recommended age of weaning should be between 6-7 months and 68.5% mothers started weaning of their present child at 6 months of age.97.3% started weaning gradually and 75.3% preferred home prepared food for weaning of their child.54.4% mothers used hand to give weaning food to their child, while45.2% mothers used plate/cup and spoon for feeding.41.1 % mothers preferred khithcri as initial weaning food and 21.9% preferred custard to. start with weaning. Children who were breastfed have significant relationship with normal weight for age [p<0.05] shown In fig 3. 9.6% children were under weight and 9.6% were stunted in our sample

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Conclusion: Mothers belonging to the walled city of Lahore demonstrated good weaning practices which are reflected by normal weight and height for age of almost 90% children in this study. The role of health professionals in advising mothers about good weaning practices is not remarkable. Mostly decisions about type of weaning food and time of initiating weaning are based upon self/previous experiences and advice from friends and family