Prevalence of Exclusive Breast Feeding Practices among Mothers ofInfants

Introduction Despite the well-recognized effectiveness of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infantrsquos life for reducing infant mortality adherence to this practice is not widespread in the developing countries like India.Objectives The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Exclusive Breast Feeding practice among mothers having children aged 6ndash12 months in Bangalore Karnataka.Methodology A descriptive approach and survey design was used for the study. Non probability convenient sampling technique was used to select 150 mothers of infants aged 6ndash12 monthswho attended the paediatric OPD of a selected Hospital in Bangalore. A structured questionnaire was used for interview that inquired information on socio-demographic characteristic and breastfeeding.Results The majority of the mothers 72practiced exclusive breastfeeding for their infants 33.3 breastfed their children 2 hours after delivery and 63.3 of mothers breastfed infants 8 ndash 12 times per day . Around 14.7 mothershad not given colostrum to baby and 25.3 mother revealed that they had given prelacteal feeds to their children. The chi-square analysis showed significant association between prevalence of exclusive breast feeding practices and sociodemographic variables such asage of the mother and gestational age of the child at birthConclusion Strengthening infant feeding practices can be achieved by educating counselling antenatal post-natal mothers and their family members on importance of exclusive breast feeding practices in the community promoting institutional deliveryKeyWords Prevalence Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice