Importance of Brest-Feeding: Ø Total 357 respondents were considered for analysis out of 857 cases surveyed as rest of the cases were found insufficient for correct information. The analysis of the survey was done by drawing percentages of various practices regarding breast feeding amongst urban population and following inferences are drawn:
Ø The most prevalent age group of lactating mother is around 25 yrs. followed by 20 yrs. this is the best period for procreation. Some cases were found below the age of 20 and above the age of 35 also.
Ø Education of mother has great impact on correct breast feeding practices.
Ø Most of the
mothers were housewives. Hence the total duration of breast feeding was found sufficient and larger. Still in some cases of working mothers, it is required to make them aware regarding the importance of breast feeding as breast feeding saves lives and is best for the good health of infants.
Ø It seems that, previous years of family life are spent in a joint family by newly married couples. The data shows a greater percentage of joint families. The elderly family members’ advice may work better to promote correct breast feeding knowledge.
Ø The concept of baby-friendly hospital was found to be confusing among the respondents. Therefore, it is inferred that higher education and economical well-being makes a person demanding for better living standard. Poverty and lower economical status are the major barriers for such awareness.
Ø Surprisingly, only 38.37% cases were found to have initiated breast feeding immediately after
birth and 35.01% cases initiated breast feeding within an hour. The rest of the cases were found unknowing for the importance of breast feeding in first hour.
Ø Pre-lacteal
food is accepted due to insufficient mother’s
milk or scissor delivery or ill-health of mother. In such cases Top-milk is
preferred in priority followed by honey and water.
Ø The rate of exclusive breast feeding is quite satisfactory. Few mothers were not providing as they found it difficult due to cracked nipple, lack of milk, ill-health and myths regarding colostrums.
Ø The total duration of breast feeding varies according to situations. Maximum mothers preferred to feed the baby up to 15 months.
Ø The concept of
expressed milk is found unclear amongst the mothers. The awareness of expressed milk is required to be fostered amongst working mothers with due precautions and care.
Ø 50% mothers started giving
complementary feed after 6 months. It seems that home-made food is preferred greatly by 80.11% mothers whereas 7.56% mothers preferred ready-made food. Rest of the mothers had not yet started complementary food. Cost of the readymade food charges high resulting into more use of homemade food. Traditional impact is still proved fruitful in using hygienic home-made food.
Ø Bottle feeding practices were found prevalent amongst 12.60% mothers. It may be due to convenient as compared to other modes of feeding. Bottle-feeding is highly advised by family members in those cases only where breast milk is not sufficient. Some medical practitioners also advised the same in critical situations.
More abstracts about the Brest-Feeding Practices