A STUDY ON COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING PRACTICES FOR CHILDREN (AGED 6-23 MONTHS) AMONG MOTHERS AGED 18-35 YEARS FROM URBAN AREAS IN MUMBAI

Dietetics

BACKGROUND: Complementary feeding, the introduction of solids, is crucial for infants' nutrition, marking the shift from exclusive breastfeeding to a diverse diet vital for growth, development, and well-being. The 6 to 23-month period is critical for long-term health and nutritional status. The study focused on mothers aged 18-35 years from diverse cultural backgrounds in Mumbai, aiming to understand Complementary Feeding Practices for children. METHODS: The research employed a cross-sectional design and recruited 187 mothers through snowball sampling. Ethical approval was obtained from the Inter System Biomedical Ethics Committee (ISBEC), and participants provided informed consent. Data collection involved questionnaires covering demographic details, household information, breastfeeding practices, complementary feeding practices, knowledge, attitudes, cultural influences, and challenges. Anthropometric measurements were used to assess the nutritional status of children, and data analysis included statistical methods for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. The study spanned four months from January to April, ensuring comprehensive data collection while maintaining participant privacy and data security. RESULTS: The findings revealed a balanced gender representation among children, adherence to exclusive breastfeeding and a blend of homemade and commercial feeds in complementary feeding practices. Sociodemographic factors influenced specific aspects of feeding practices, such as the timing of initiation and duration of exclusive breastfeeding, but did not universally dictate overall feeding decisions. Maternal knowledge gaps regarding infant nutrition were identified, with family members being primary sources of information. Positive attitudes towards varied diets and cultural diversity were prevalent, although challenges in adapting feeding plans based on child preferences were noted. Statistical analyses of nutrient intake by gender and socioeconomic status showed no significant differences, emphasizing the importance of tailored interventions for improving child nutrition outcomes. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the study in Mumbai revealed diverse maternal demographics, equitable child growth patterns, suboptimal exclusive breastfeeding rates, and varied complementary feeding practices influenced by socioeconomic factors. Targeted interventions are needed to address knowledge gaps and promote culturally sensitive feeding practices for optimal child nutrition outcomes.

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