Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Infant feeding practices have a major role in determining the nutritional status of children and are associated with household socioeconomic and demographic factors. Aims & Objectives: (1) To study the socio-demographic profile of mothers; (2) To assess impact of feeding practices on nutritional status of children.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study in rural areas of Navsari district, Gujarat, included 243 women, who had one child aged 12 to 23 months preceding data collection. Data were analyzed using statistical software Epi Info 6. Anthropometric analysis was done by using WHO Anthro software (version 3.2.2).
Results: Breastfeeding was universal in the study area. Only 56.4 % of mothers initiated breastfeeding within one hour. Only 36.2 % of infants were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and 97.5 % had received complementary feeding at 6–9 months of age. There was 11.5% prevalence of underweight, 15.6% prevalence of stunting and 8.6% prevalence of wasting. There was significant association between underweight with the birth order of the child, birth weight of the child and time of initiation of the breast-feeding to the child. There was significant association between stunting with the sex of the child. There was significant association between time of initiation of breast-feeding with the birth order of the child and type of delivery. Conclusion: Malnutrition was associated with perinatal care practices and infant feeding practices. Efforts are needed to promote early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and age-appropriate complementary feeding among infants.