Original Research Article A Study of Pattern of Breast Feeding Practices among the Women Residing In Aurangabad District of Maharashtra

Aims and Objectives:-1. To study the pattern of breast feeding practices among the women residing in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. 2. To find of the socio demographic and cultural factors affecting the breast feeding practices. Material and Methods:- A cross sectional study was carried out in immunization OPD during June 2011 to December 2011 over a period of 6 months. On an average 10-20 mothers visited to each immunization session. Total 268 lactating mother having child aged less than two year of age, who attend the immunization clinic for child vaccination on Monday and Thursday were interviewed. Purposive sampling method was used to select the study population. Results:- Only 83(31.0%) of study participants had initiated breast feeding within 4 hours of delivery, most common reason for delay in initiation of breast feeding was mother undergone Caesarean Section 89 (48.1%). Total 185(69.0%) mothers gave prelacteal feeds. 124 (46.3%) mothers practiced and had knowledge of exclusive breast feeding upto 6 months. Socioeconomic status has significant association with duration of breast feeding (p<0.01). Shorter duration was observed among the mothers with highe