Breastfeeding among urban women of low-socioeconomic status: factors influencing introduction of supplemental feeds before four months of age
Aggarwal, A.; Arora, S.; Patwari, A.K.
Indian Pediatrics 35(3): 269-273
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 9707884 Document Number: 353590
A total of 75 mothers of infants [in India] who were initially breast-fed and started supplementary feeds before 4 months of age were randomly-selected and interviewed. 56.2% of infants were started on supplementary feeds within 6 weeks of age. 55 mothers (73.3%) introduced supplementary feeds with a bottle, compared with 20 (26.7%) with a katori/spoon. 60 (80.0%) used diluted animal milk and only 2 mothers (2.7%) used formula milk. Only 6.7% of mothers were able to maintain proper hygiene. Duration of exclusive breast feeding was not significantly correlated with maternal education, socioeconomic status, family support, antenatal care and preparation of breast feeding or duration of rest after childbirth. Duration of exclusive breast feeding was significantly greater in mothers who had previously breast-fed their children for 4 months (P=0.0203). The most frequent reason given by mothers for starting supplementary feeds was inadequate milk (37; 49.3%), followed by maternal illness (14; 18.7%).