Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants. The WHO recommends that for the first six months of life, infants should be exclusively breastfed to achieve optimal growth, development, and health. With the primary objective to identify breast feeding practices in mothers of infants 1-6 month of age, this cross-sectional study was conducted in three slums of three different districts of  Delhi. A sample of 425 infants (1-6 months of age) and their mothers was selected by multi-stage sampling and primary data was collected over a period of 3 months from October 2018 to December 2018 by interviewing the mothers using a structured interview schedule. It was found that breastfeeding was initiated within one hour of birth in 39.6 % of the infants, Colostrum was given to 80.0 percent of the infants and the rate of exclusive breastfeeding was found to be 66.4 percent, which is much less than the desired optimal practice. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that more focus should be given on interpersonal communication, health education and social and behaviour change communication regarding breastfeeding practices at different levels and orientation and training of health personnel regarding optimal breastfeeding practices should be reemphasized. 

Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding, Infant, Colostrum, Prelacteal feed, Health education. 

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Dr Rabi Bhushan

The National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka, New Delhi- 110067