Abstract:Correct practices of nutrition remain the cornerstone to combat the problem of under-nutrition and mortality among children. Both Early Initiation of Breast Feeding (EIBF) and Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) is crucial for the baby still according to NFHS-4, in India only 41.6% of mothers initiate EIBF and 54.9% of babies EBF during first six months.
Objective: To access the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pattern of practice of breast feeding among mothers of infants that is crucial for the wellbeing and health of infants.
Methodology: It is a Descriptive, observational study with study design as cross-sectional conducted with 237 mothers having infant aged 6-12 months.
Result: Knowledge among the mothers has been found high while the practices related to EBF has been low. Nearly one fifth of the mothers responded that EIBF must followed where as 59.49% of the mothers practised EIBF.
84.81% mothers agreed that colostrum should be fed to the new born baby, 83% of mothers gave colostrum to their child. 71.73% (170) mothers denied that the knowledge regarding new born baby should be given any pre-lacteal feeding while nearly 12% mothers gave pre-lacteal feeding to their child. 98.62% (229) of mothers claimed to have heard about EBF and 86.92% (206) mothers answered that the child should be exclusively breast fed till 6 months of age. The main source of information was ASHA and then Hospital.