DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i08.025

Pages: 2865-2868

Infant feeding practices of a community are governed by its traditions, beliefs and knowledge. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is not practiced by many mothers in the first six months of life. Appropriate feeding practices are fundamental to growth, development and nutrition of infant. In present study we have assessed knowledge of mothers about infant feeding, actual practices followed by mothers and factors influencing these practices. The present hospital based cross-sectional descriptive study was started from June 2015. In results the Practice of giving prelacteal feed is common among mothers. 48% of mothers were aware of EBF and 60% mothers have practiced exclusive breastfeeding for their babies. Significant association was observed between maternal literacy and practice of EBF.