ABSTRAK Keperluan keluarga pesakit yang sedang menunggu waris di Unit Rawatan

Background: Poor feeding practices are a major threat to social and economic development. Studies have demonstrated adverse consequences of inappropriate feeding practices on growth, development & survival of infants and children. Indian and global data have shown that exclusive breast feeding during first six months is associated with optimal infant growth and low morbidity. Breast feeding practices in rural communities are shaped by their beliefs, which are influenced by social, cultural and economic factors. Objectives: To study the infant feeding practices among mothers in the rural field practice area and to assess the nutritional status of the infants and children. Methodology: A community based descriptive study conducted in the rural field practice area among mothers of infants aged 12-23 months. Study period June 2013 to May 2014. The size of the sample is 347.Results & Conclusions: 13% of infants were given pre-lacteal feeds. 96.5% children were fed with colostrum. 99.2% of the children were breastfed, 82.2% were initiated breast feeding within one hour after delivery. Only 19.89% were breast fed exclusively for up to 6 months, 61.7% of the mothers practiced breast feeding on demand and 70.1% of mothers started complementary feeds before the age of 6 months.