| Abstract: | The study examined knowledge of and attitudes toward breast and supplementary feeding of infants among 100 newly trained nurses in India. The nurses had recently completed three years of training in A-grade nursing skills. 100% of respondents agreed that breast feeding was the best option, and water was acceptable as the first feed. Feeding of infants was considered to be appropriate within the first 6 hours of birth and for 1-3 years. 60% preferred bottle feeding. 88% considered that the new-born should be kept with the mother rather than in the nursery. 66% knew that breast feeding was good for the mother's health. 68% preferred time-scheduled feeding. 90% desired milk diluted with water as a breast milk substitute. Respondents listed the following advantages of breast milk: nutritious (mentioned by 30% of respondents), good for the baby's health (20%), hygienic (20%), better for mother-child bonding (20%), time saving (18%), offering resistance against disease (18%), economical (11%), given at appropriate temperature (7%), easily digestible (6%), and easy to feed (2%). Respondents listed the following indications for bottle feeding: mother ill (mentioned by 40% of respondents), lactation failure (18%), cracked nipple (15%), other breast problems (11%), baby not sucking (8%), cleft lip/palate (6%), death of mother (6%), mother using oral contraceptives (4%). The study revealed a preference for 1/8 to 3/4 dilution of milk, because of milk's presumed heaviness. The practice of milk dilution is one of the important reasons for childhood malnutrition, and it demands urgent attention. There was a serious lack of knowledge about colostrum and techniques of feeding, burping, and weaning. Findings also confirmed the preference for bottle, cotton wicks, and fingers for providing milk substitutes. Continuing nursing education should provide better instruction on infant feeding practices. |
