Initiation of Breastfeeding and Related Practices among Lactating Mothers in Urban Slums of Uttar Pradesh (India)

The benefits of early initiation of breastfeeding for the health baby are well documented. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends early initiation of breastfeeding. A recent trial has shown that early initiation of breastfeeding could reduce neonatal mortality by 22% which would contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (Edmond, 2006). There are few empirical studies on this issue in India, even though early initiation of breastfeeding important for child survival. Present study covers the practices related with early initiation of breastfeeding in slums of Kanpur City in Uttar Pradesh, India. There were 335 lactating mothers were interviewed, using a pretested structured questionnaire in eight slums of Kanpur City. There were 78 per cent of mothers know the advantages of breastfeeding, but only 38 per cent of mothers given colostrum to their babies. Generally new born babies get first breastfed after 2-3 days of delivery. It is considered that colostrum is not good for baby health. Goat milk is considered as very light and digest able for new born baby. During that period new born baby gets pre-lactation feeds like goat milk (82 per cent), cow milk (14 per cent), honey or gur (sugar syrup). Exclusive breastfeeding