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.
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