Feeding beliefs and practices of mothers/ caregivers for their infants

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the nutritional practices and beliefs for infants by mothers/care giversin our set up.A descriptive study.Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad - Sindh, from 7[th] November to 16th December,2001.One hundred infants admitted in paediatrics ward were selected for the study. Studywas based on a questionnaire, developed to collect information by interviewing mothers to ascertaintheir infant feeding practices and various beliefs/taboos affecting these practices.One hundred mothers belonging to urban and rural areas were interviewed. At birth,71% of mothers discarded colostrum. The frequency of breast-feeding was high initially but dueto variety of socio-cultural reasons, it declined rapidly with early supplementation of bottlefeeding.Pre-lacteal feeding was a major reason for breast feeding delay. Exclusive breastfeedingwas of short duration. Inadequate weaning in terms of quality and quantity was observedcommon. Cultural beliefs and taboos were affecting the weaning in majority of the cases.Lack of maternal education about feeding the infant is significant in our set up.There is, therefore, a need to educate the mothers about correct feeding practices so thathealthy growth of the infants can be maintained