Frequency of Complementary Feeding, Top Feeding and Exclusive Breast Feeding among Infants at Tertiary Care Unit: A Retrospective Cross Sectional Study
Sehrish Memon
Sindh Government Hospital Qasimabad, Hyderabad, Pakistan.
Ayesha Farhat
Department of Pediatric, Civil Hospital Hyderabad, Pakistan.
Asadullah Memon
Department of Pediatric, Sindh Government CDF Hospital Hyderabad, Pakistan.
Iqra Khokhar
Department of Pediatrics, Shah Bhittai Hospital Hyderabad, Pakistan.
Hina Naqvi
Department of Pediatrics PMC Hospital Nawabshah, Pakistan.
Muhammad Nadeem Chohan *
Department of Pediatrics Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To determine the frequency of complementary feeding, top feeding and exclusive breast feeding among infants at tertiary care unit
Study Design: Retrospective cross sectional study
Place and Duration: Pediatric Out Patient Department (OPD) of Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore from November 2017 to May 2018
Methodology: Three hundred children were enrolled. The mothers of the children were asked about the feeding practices (i.e. exclusive breast feeding, top feeding, complementary feeding) which were described as frequency distribution table
Results: Exclusive breast feeding was found in 54 (18%) children, complementary feeding started at 6 months of age in 102 (34%) children, while the top feeding was given in 144 (48%) children.
Conclusion: At the age of 6 months, complimentary feeding was practiced most frequently. Exclusive breast feeding was not very common. So, mothers should be encouraged to promote breast feeding among their children.
Keywords: Exclusive breast feeding, complementary feeding, feeding practices, infants