Infant feeding practices of mothers in Urban Slums and shanties of the Colombo Municipality.

Abstract

Overall prevalence of breast feeding as at time of interview was 94. 63 per cent. There was a marked decline after 5 months of age. All mothers had trained assistance at delivery. 50 per cent had initiated breast feeding within 1 hour of delivery. Income level of the family had a significant association with exclusive breast feeding whilst formal education and the age of the mother had no significant association with exclusive breast feeding. The education level of mother, nationality, parity and the presence of a grandmother/ mother-in-law had no significant association to the overall knowledge of the mother on breast feeding/ complementary feeding. The presence of a grandmother however had a significant association with breast feeding practice