Infant feeding and rearing practices in a rural community of Western Orissa
Samal, G.C.
Indian Pediatrics 21(4): 319-321
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 6480079 Document Number: 224318
All 500 of mothers in rural Orissa, India, accepted breast feeding of their infants; 24.2, 56.2 and 13.6% of them commenced breast feeding on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th day after delivery, respectively. Diluted cow's milk 31.2, boiled water 20.8, sugar water 17, and honey 8.6% were used before breast feeding. Of the mothers, 94.2% breast fed their infants for more than 1 year and 65.4% for 3 years or more. Natural cessation of lactation (80.4%) and subsequent pregnancies (11.6%) were reasons for stoppage. Semisolids were introduced at 13 to 18 months in 53.2% of the mothers. Rice, rice flakes and puffed rice were preferred semisolids, and mothers held strong beliefs regarding hot and cold foods.