A cross-sectional study on breast feeding practices in a rural area of North Karnataka

Abstract

To elicit the breastfeeding practices prevalent in this rural backward area Methods: A community based cross sectional study wherein 236 mothers were interviewed regarding their place of delivery and breast feeding practices followed by them. Results: 236 mothers all of whom had a normal delivery were interviewed. 80.5% mothers had delivered in an institution. Only 5.1% mothers initiated breast feeding within half hour of delivery. 66.1% mothers gave prelacteal feeds and 72% gave colostrums to their neonates. Exclusive breast feeding was practiced by 27.1% mothers while 91.1% practiced demand feeding. Conclusion: It is often said that breast feeding is the foremost natural immunisation a baby receives and it saves more lives than any other preventive intervention. Such is the importance of breast feeding and this should be communicated to every woman using the appropriate medium