AI Article Synopsis

  • Breastfeeding is essential for infant development, providing vital nutrients and antibodies; the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by complementary feeding while continuing breastfeeding for up to two years or more.
  • * This study focuses on understanding breastfeeding and weaning practices among mothers of infants aged 9-12 months, conducted at Krishna Hospital using a validated questionnaire.
  • * Results showed that most mothers began weaning between six to seven months, commonly using dal and rice for feeding, with a significant number using plastic bottles; some mothers also delayed breastfeeding initiation and did not feed colostrum.

Article Abstract

Introduction: Breastfeeding provides nutrients and antibodies crucial for developing infants and their immune systems. Understanding the current breastfeeding and weaning practices helps identify areas requiring improvements to boost infant health outcomes. The World Health Organization and other health bodies recommend that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. Then, complementary feeding should be introduced along with breastfeeding, which should be continued for up to two years or more.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the perception and practices of breastfeeding and weaning among mothers with 9- to 12-month-old infants.

Methodology: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Krishna Hospital and Research Centre, Karad, for a period of six months. A validated questionnaire developed by investigators was used as the study tool. Mothers visiting the immunization clinics with their 9- to 12-month-old infants were enrolled in the study. Infants diagnosed as having inborn metabolic disorders, diabetes, heart diseases, and congenital malformations and those who were on special feeds or diets were not included in the study.

Results: The majority of the study participants (28 [33%]) initiated weaning when the infants were six to seven months of age, with the earliest being five months (8 [10%]). Five (6%) mothers could not initiate weaning until the infants were 12 months old. The most common weaning food was dal and rice with ghee (24 [29%]). A total of 50 (60%) participants used plastic bottles for feeding, and among them, 30 (36%) mothers used bottles to give water to their infants. A total of 23 (27%) participants did not feed their infants colostrum. The most common hunger cue was crying (82 [98%]), whereas the least common cue was mouth opening (8 [9%]). The incorrect practices followed by the mothers were late initiation of breastfeeding because of which colostrum could not be fed to the neonate; incorrect breastfeeding technique, that is, feeding little milk from each side of the breast without emptying one breast completely; late or no initiation of weaning foods; and offering less amount of weaning food than that required by the infant according to its nutritional demand.

Conclusion: Initiating breastfeeding early and continuing breastfeeds along with complimentary feeds are essential for optimal infant growth.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11499075PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.70030DOI Listing

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