Breastfeeding Practices among Urban Mothers of Central Kerala, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The practice of breastfeeding is vital in child nutrition and morbidity. The authors aimed to determine breastfeeding practices and factors related to Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) among mothers with children aged six months to ۲ years in an urban area of Thrissur district, Kerala, India. Methods: This was a community-based and cross-sectional study conducted on ۳۳۹ mothers using cluster sampling in ۲۰۱۶ for one year in the urban area of Thrissur district, Kerala. Details regarding sociodemographic factors, obstetric history, child-related data and breastfeeding practices were collected from mothers using a pretested and semi-structured questionnaire. Analyses were done using SPSS۱۶ and Epi Info ۷. Results: The mean age of study population was ۲۷.۲۱ ± ۴.۲۷. ۲۲۳ mothers (۶۵.۷۸ %, ۹۵% CI = ۶۰.۴۳-۷۰.۷۷) initiated breastfeeding within ۱ hour, and prelacteal feeding was observed in ۲۵ cases (۷.۳۷%, ۹۵% CI = ۴.۹۲-۱۰.۸۳). ۹۹.۷۱% practiced feeding on demand, and ۳۰.۹۷% (۹۵% CI = ۲۶.۱۵- ۳۶.۲۴) of children were exclusively breastfed up to ۶ months with mean duration of ۳.۹۵± ۱.۷۹ months. The mean age at which complementary feeding started was ۴.۸۳ ± ۱.۳۲ months. Cultural beliefs, mothers' employment, and problems during breastfeeding were significant predictors of EBF for up to ۶months. Conclusion: Despite high educational status and good antenatal care among the study population, breastfeeding practices were not carried out at the recommended level. Breastfeeding was initiated within ۱ hour of delivery by ۲/۳rd ,and  ۱/۳rd of the children were exclusively breastfed up to ۶ months. Cultural beliefs and mothers' employment were factors associated with EBF.

Keywords:

Breastfeeding Practices , Exclusive Breastfeeding , Breastfed , Prelacteal Feeding , Central Kerala.