Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: Infant feeding is extremely important for the optimal growth and development of a child as it involves the rapid growth phase of the brain with the main development milestones. Though the global and local guidelines provide extensive recommendations, the actual knowledge of the urban mothers regarding the same remains unknown. Objective: To identify the knowledge among urban Sri Lankan adult females regarding Infant feeding. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was done on 135 conveniently selected urban Sri Lankan females using an online questionnaire & an interviewer based questionnaire. Results: 61% were below 25yrs & with GCE A/L as the highest level of education. 68.4% agreed to be giving liquid food as the first type of food to the infant but 40.4% selected mashed rice as their preferred food item to be given after weaning is started. 44% started solid food at 9-10 months. 84.6%, 58.1% & 47.8% introduced the child to sweet food, salty food & biscuits at 1 year of age, respectively. 66.9% agreed to encouraging “Independent Eating” only at 1 year. Only 18.4% chose to sit at the dinner table for feeding and only 66% thought feeding time should be half an hour. Increases were seen in independent eating (4% to 7%) and in introducing biscuits (3% to 8%) with the higher numbers of children in the family. Conclusions: Therefore, it can be said that there is a disparity between the knowledge that mothers have, with the application of said knowledge. Key words: Infant nutrition, Infant feeding, Nursing in infant feeding

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