Feeding practices of infants delivered in a district hospital during the implementation of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative

Chan, S.K.; Asirvatham, C.V.

Medical Journal of Malaysia 56(1): 71-76

2001


ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5283
PMID: 11503300
Document Number: 527136
A study on infant feeding practices was conducted during the implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in a district hospital in Malaysia. The aim was to identify which population subgroups had lower breastfeeding rates at 4 months and the effect of attendance of antenatal breastfeeding education on breastfeeding practices. All infants delivered in May 1996 were followed-up. 204 respondents were analysed. This study demonstrated a higher exclusive and any breastfeeding rates at 4 months than some other studies (48% and 76%, respectively). It was found that the Malays were more likely to be breastfeeding exclusively at 4 months (72%) than the Indians (32%) and the Chinese (4%) (P<0.01). There were more non-working mothers breastfeeding exclusively at 4 months than working mothers (60% vs. 26%; P<0.01). Antenatal breastfeeding education in the form that was given appeared to improve breastfeeding rates at 4 months. Future efforts to promote breastfeeding should target the Chinese mothers and the working mothers.

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