Breastfeeding among Mothers in Sullia Karnataka

From the time immemorial, nature in its wisdom has provided for the newborn, specialized nutriment by way of breast milk. Culture influences infant feeding decisions of mothers which have influence on growth, development, health and nutrition of infants and children everywhere. In a cross sectional study, 400 mothers with children aged 0-2 years attending Pediatric Out-Patient Department of K.V.G Medical College and Hospital, Sullia and attached Primary Health Centre from December 2009-2010 were interviewed.It is really an encouraging observation that majority of the mothers had good knowledge and a positive attitude towards breastfeeding.Majority of the mothers had fed the baby colostrum while very few discarded it and gave prelacteal feeds. Late initiation of breastfeeding has implications for health education programms and neonatal feeding strategies.