Abstract
Weaning is the process in which an infant’s diet pattern is gradually changed from liquid foods like
breast milk and substitute milk preparations to cooked solid foods. The main purpose of the study was
to describe the weaning practices of women residing in the Chandaulia district of Uttar Pradesh, India,
whose babies were between the ages of six and nine months. A descriptive survey was conducted on
120 mothers attending Anganwadi centre/health centre in Chandaulia district. Convenient samples of
120 mothers were interviewed. Data was collected on breast-feeding, weaning as well as the current
feeding practices. revealed that breastfeeding was initiated by 80% women at birth. Only 20.8% of
women were exclusively breastfeeding till five months. Early weaning was associated with mother’s
perception of poor quantity and quality of breast milk i.e. 45.2%. Partial breastfeeding was practiced
by 79.2% of the respondents and women were found using a variety of milk formulas to substitute
breast milk. Analysis of factors that might have influenced the early supplementation, 45.2% women
indicated that dissatisfaction with milk insufficiency was the reason for stopping breast feeds. The
research findings suggest that the perceptions of women regarding appropriate time of introducing
solids differs from that of health professionals and exclusive breastfeeding rates in the villages are very
low. Solids are introduced as early as in the first week of life.
Dr Hena Yasmin. (2008) Weaning practices of rural women in Chandaulia district, Uttar Pradesh, India, Research Journal of Pakistan Home Economics Association, Volume-2, Issue-1.
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