Feeding Practices of Mothers on the first day of delivery and impact of counseling on feeding practices in neonatal period

Showkat Hussain Tali; Mohd Ashraf Bhat; Gazi Shakeel; Shagufta Yousuf

Volume : VII, Issue : VIII, August - 2018

Feeding Practices of Mothers on the first day of delivery and impact of counseling on feeding practices in neonatal period

Showkat Hussain Tali, Mohd Ashraf Bhat, Gazi Shakeel, Shagufta Yousuf

Abstract :

Background: Exclusive east feeding (EBM) is considered the best feeding for infants for the first six months of life. However exclusive east feeding is not practiced universally by a significant proportion of mothers. Material and Methods: Ninety six mothers were enrolled for the study and were assessed for east feeding practices on the day of birth. Impact of feeding counseling on feeding practices during the neonatal period was also assessed and recorded on a predesigned proforma. Observations and Results: Out of 96 mothers, 66% (63) were feeding their babies exclusively on east milk on the day of birth. After counseling, east feeding improved significantly to 84% (81) at day 2. Breast feeding rate dropped to 78% (75) at day 7 of delivery. After further counseling through phone at day 7 of delivery, east milk feeding rate again raised to 85% (82%) which was statistically significant. Conclusions: Exclusive east feeding is not practiced on the day of birth by a significant proportion of mothers. Breast feeding counseling has significant positive impact on exclusive east beading in the neonatal period.