Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Till six months, breast feeding should be exclusive for the infant – complementary feeding should continue then after. Prelacteal feeding, complete extraneous feeding, untimely supplementation/ continuation of breastfeeding and inaccurate pattern/ quantity of complementary feeding are widespread malpractices. Aims & Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude, practices and misconceptions among mothers regarding complementary feeding.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional semi-structured survey was carried on 100 mothers attending the pediatric OPD of a private medical college. Mothers whose babies were admitted to the NICU, born premature or had major congenital malformations, were excluded from the study.
Results: Early feed (< 2 hours after birth) was just 4%. The commonest pre lacteal feed given was honey (33%) – another being sugar water (4%). Within starting 6 months, 31% mothers had given breast milk along with extraneous milk, while 2% mothers were giving only extraneous milk. 32 % mothers were giving complementary food < 3 times, while 12% were giving > 6 times. As complementary food, biscuit (32%) was nearly as popular as daliya (32%) or banana (31%). 12% mothers introduced complementary feeding before 6 months while another 14% didn’t start it even after 6 months. The commonest complementary food used was infant formula (62%), followed by dal paani (52%). 37% mothers agreed to having given pre lacteal feeds. Conclusion: Wide spread lacunae exist in knowledge of mothers regarding breast feeding and complementary feeding. Awareness needs to be generated regarding the importance of exclusive breast feeding, avoidance of pre lacteal feeds and the benefits of timely and appropriate complementary feeding.