Baby Feeding Practices and Social Support to Mother after Delivery in Western Region of Nepal: A Bicentric Cross-Sectional, Health Facility Based Survey

Abstract

Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding practice for six months of life is very effective intervention for reducing childhood morbidity and mortality and to prevent different forms of childhood malnutrition. But, adherence to exclusive breastfeeding is difficult. Family support after delivery is also very important for the quality life of both mother and baby.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in two different hospitals in Pokhara, Western Nepal from July 2017 to July 2018. 1050 mothers who came for hospital visit were interviewed regarding their breast-feeding and complimentary
feeding practice

Results: During the antenatal visit 86.85%received information on breastfeeding while only 5.14% mothers were given information about the importance of colostrum and 64.57% initiated breastfeeding within one hour of delivery. Exclusive breastfeeding at 0 day was 46%, predominant breast feeding was 5.8% and partial feeding was 47.8% respectively. Four mothers (0.38%) refused to feed breast milk. The association between sex of child and support pattern of relatives during OPD checkup among Aryan families
was statistically significant in male child than female child.

Conclusions: Exclusive breast feeding for six months is advisable but few mothers practiced this. Although pregnant women were given information regarding breastfeeding during the antenatal visit, very few knew the importance of colostrum, so proper
counseling during antenatal visit is necessary. Social support by the husband and his relatives should be done especially when female child is born.