Infant Feeding Practices in Kaski District, Pokhara

Authors

  • S Basnet Lecturer, Department of Paediatrics, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara
  • E Gauchan Lecturer, Department of Paediatrics, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara
  • K Malla Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara
  • T Malla Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara
  • DP Koirala Lecturer, Department of Paediatrics, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara
  • R Shah Intern, Department of Paediatrics, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara
  • Y Sedhai Intern, Department of Paediatrics, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v32i1.5339

Keywords:

Breastfeeding, Complimentary feeding, Malnourishment

Abstract

Background: Children in developing countries are prone to infectious diseases due to insufficient and inappropriate feeding practices. Socio-demographic and socio-economic factors directly and indirectly play a role in influencing infant feeding practices.  This study was conducted to assess the socio-demographic and economic factors associated with initiation of breastfeeding, complimentary feeding, and the various prelacteal feeds practiced in Kaski, Pokhara.

Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, interviews were conducted to 500 mothers at Manipal Teaching Hospital who brought their child for treatment. The interviews were conducted in a questionnaire format relating to their demographic and financial statuses.

Results: A total of 500 mothers were questioned, out of which 86.6% gave their child breastmilk as its first food. 47% initiated breastfeeding within half an hour of child’s birth. 86% gave Jaulo as the first complementary food to their children. About 26% of the mothers gave complementary feeding to their children before the recommended time of 6 months.

Conclusion: Initiation of breastfeeding after life and complementary feeding practices overall has improved from previous studies. There is still need of making awareness campaigns and such in order to further improve this trend. 

Key words: Breastfeeding; Complimentary feeding; Malnourishment

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v32i1.5339    

J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. Vol.32(1) 2012 23-27

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Published

2012-02-28

How to Cite

Basnet, S., Gauchan, E., Malla, K., Malla, T., Koirala, D., Shah, R., & Sedhai, Y. (2012). Infant Feeding Practices in Kaski District, Pokhara. Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society, 32(1), 23–27. https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v32i1.5339

Issue

Vol. 32 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Original Articles

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