A Descriptive Survey to Assess and Compare the Breastfeeding Practices among Working and Non-Working Mothers of Infants (6-12 Months) Attending Well Baby Clinic of Selected Hospitals and MCH Centre

Abstract

The findings of the study revealed that majority of the mothers 98 mothers (49%) had LSCS, 88 mothers (44%) had normal vaginal delivery and 14 mothers (7%) had abnormal delivery,180 mothers (90%) mothers delivered at full term whereas 13(6.5%) mothers delivered at preterm. 52(26%) mothers were giving water in between feeds to their infant who were less than 6 months and on exclusive breastfeeding. 108(74%) mothers used bottle for top feeding. 135(67.5%) mothers clean the utensils used for feeding by boiling. 16(32%) working mothers gave honey/ghutti immediately to their infants after birth whereas the number was 60(40%) for the non-working mothers. 20(40%) working mothers started complementary feeding within 4-6 months of their delivery whereas it was 95(63.3%) for non- working mothers. 18(36%) working mothers gave mashed food as complementary feed to their infants in the age group of 6-9 months whereas 32(21.3%) non-working mothers gave above items. Working mothers were giving better complementary feed to their infants but were having difficulty continuing breast feeding. The study findings revealed that there is need to impart knowledge on practice of mothers on infant feeding.