Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices in Udupi district, Karnataka

Abstract

The IYCF practices have a great impact on the physical and mental development of the child. The objective of this study was to study the compliance to IYCF practices along with the factors influencing the same.Cross-sectional study was donein a community based survey. Children in the age group 18-40 months in and around Udupi were studied. 34% of the mothers initiated breast-feeding within an hour after birth. Exclusive breast-feeding for 6 months was practiced only by 9% of the mothers. 43% of the mothers started complimentary feeding at 6 months and 49% of the infants were breast fed for 2 years. Lack of knowledge among the mothers is an important factor responsible for low compliance and therefore there is a need for greater awareness that can be met with improvised health education sessions/ programs carried out by the hospitals and Anganwadis during antenatal and post natal checkups. Key words: Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), breast feeding, mother’s knowledge assessment