Impact of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Counseling on Practices and Knowledge of Mothers in Rural Areas

IYCF practices have a great impact on the physical and mental development of the child. The objective of this study was the lactating mothers with the children in the age group 0-23 months were studied and delivered IYCF counseling according to their need basis as well as key IYCF messages. Mother’s knowledge level was average about IYCF components; 42.4% mothers had proper knowledge about IYCF practice which improved to 48.6% who have at least 80% knowledge about IYCF.61.0% mothers had knowledge on initiation of breast-feeding within an hour of birth and now 79.1 mother knew the right message while 50.7% of the mothers initiated breast-feeding within an hour after birth remain same before and after the study. Exclusive breast-feeding for 6 months was practiced by the mothers of 60.2%& study leads to 73.5% as of impact of counseling. After counseling on IYCF knowledge increased from 61.6% to 75.2% on complimentary feeding should start at 6 months and 55.4% of the mother wished to continue breast fed for 2 years of infants but finally 65.5% agreed on right age of continuation of breast feeding for children.