A study of infant feeding practices in an urban Indian community

Thirty mothers, attending either a paediatric clinic at a Government hospital or a private paediatrician's surgery, both in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, South East India, were questioned about their infant feeding practices. A sample of milk from their child's bottle was requested and subsequently analysed for the presence of dilution. Over-dilution, defined as less than 75% of the standard concentration, was found to be common (P<.05). No significant correlations were found between the incidence of over-dilution and either family income or educational status of the mothers due to the small sample size. The study suggests the need for practical education on the reconstitution of milk feeds.