Compliance to Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Indicators Amongst Infants of Rural Saharanpur, India

Abstract

Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices hold paramount importance for child survival, health, growth, and development. This study was done to assess the IYCF practices followed by the rural dwellers of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 18 randomly selected Anganwadi Centres of Behat Tehsil in Saharanpur district. The data were collected from 800 mothers whose children aged 1–3 years were registered in these anganwadis. Information was gathered using questionnaires and interviews. Results showed that 99.5% mothers initiated breastfeeding their infants with in first hour of birth. Minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency as well as minimum acceptable diet were the three IYCF core indicators that were not followed by about 95% of mothers. Infant and young child feeding practices in the selected rural area are not satisfactory and there is not 100% compliance to something as important as exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. There should be a more focused approach towards awareness generation, and sincere efforts should be made to improve infant feeding practices so as to make a positive impact on eradication of malnutrition amongst rural children.