A study on feeding practices of severe acute malnourished infants aged 06-24 months admitted in malnutrition treatment centre of Bikaner, Rajasthan

Abstract

Infant feeding practices are critical determinants of survival, growth and development during infancy. Breastfeeding is required for child survival, birth spacing and prevention of childhood infections. Complementary feeding is essential from six months of age while continuing breastfeeding to meet the needs of the growing baby, hence the aim of present research was to study the feeding practices of severely acute malnourished infants aged 06 to 24 months admitted in the malnutrition treatment centre of PBM government hospital of Bikaner district, Rajasthan. A total of 84 mothers were interviewed who were randomly selected from the malnutrition treatment centre in this cross-sectional study. Results observed that out of 84 mothers, maximum mothers (66.29%) breastfed their child at the time of study period. Mothers who discontinued breastfeeding was due to insufficient milk secretion (59.38%). Only 22.62 per cent of mothers have breastfed their child within one hour. Only 32.14 per cent were exclusively breastfed their child. Around 36.90 per cent of mothers provided colostrum to their infants and others were discarded. Most common reason for discarding colostrum was due to advised by the elderly (50.94%). Maximum mothers gave pre-lacteal feed (72.62%). Majority of mothers still using ghutti and honey as a pre-lacteal feed. Most of the children (44.05%) had received complementary feeding during 6-9 months of age but many infants (39.29%) received before 6 months. Due to lack of knowledge regarding feeding practices and some cultural beliefs, awareness about the correct feeding practices was low. This indicates that improving knowledge of mothers about infant feeding practices will help in improving children’s nutritional status.