Infant feeding practices among patients of pediatricians and general practitioners.
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1992-03-01
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Abstract
In an attempt to document the infant feeding practices among patients of pediatricians and general practitioners, a study was carried over a period of one month and data of 10,374 infants were recorded using a pre-printed proforma marked by a simple 'tick' for each patient. The results showed: (i) initiation of breastfeeding was delayed in nearly half of the cases beyond 24 hours; (ii) introduction of bottle feeding in more than half of infants by the age of 4 months and (iii) introduction of solid foods later than eight months in almost half of infants. While breastfeeding is practised by 78% of women, only one in five practice exclusive breastfeeding till 4-6 months, and very few avoid bottle feeds. Much education and change in behaviour is needed if optimal benefit of breastfeeding in India is to be realised.
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Gupta A, Sobti J, Rohde JE. Infant feeding practices among patients of pediatricians and general practitioners. Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 1992 Mar-Apr; 59(2): 193-6