DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i06.045

Pages: 2369-2373

Since 1993, WHO’s effort to improve infant and young child nutrition have focused on promoting breastfeeding. It is estimated that suboptimal breastfeeding especially non-exclusive in first six months of life results in 1.4 million deaths and 10% of the disease burden in children younger than five year. The objective of present study was to know the various breastfeeding practices and knowledge in lactating PNC mothers. In this Materials and methods were a cross sectional observational study was carried out over the period of Jan 2012 to Dec 2012. Total of 200 PNC mothers who were enrolled in the anganwadi were selected for the study. The Results were Out of total, 14% mothers received advice on breastfeeding during ANC. 6% initiated breastfeeding within 1 hour. 37% mothers had given prelacteals. 22% mothers discarded colostrum. 55% babies received demand feeding. Breastfeeding feeding practices were appropriate in 64% of women. In Conclusion Very few mothers initiated breastfeeding at correct time. Wrong customs like giving prelacteals and discarding colostrum is still practiced in the society. Though the majority of mothers had right knowledge but breastfeeding practices was not appropriate. Very few mothers received advised regarding breastfeeding from the trained personnel.