Abstract

Babies feeding from birth up to the first years of life influences an individual’s whole life. It is common knowledge that breastfeeding is important for optimal infant feeding. Breast milk alone can be used for feeding babies in the first six months of life, but from then on, complementary feeding is necessary. The nutritional adequacy of complementary food is essential for the prevention of infant morbidity and mortality, including malnutrition and overweight. Lack of knowledge and misconceptions among people are often barriers to initiating appropriate feeding and at correct age. Objective of the study is to assess the current breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and food beliefs in young mothers. These feeding practices will be assessed in infants only, using a structured open-ended questionnaire. An informal interview method will be used to gather information regarding feeding practices.

Description