Background: Poor feeding practices during infancy and early childhood can result in malnutrition. The present study aimed to determine infant and young child feeding practices among children <36 months and to assess the association between infant and young child feeding practices and under-nutrition.
Methods: A total of 327 infants and children below 3 years were enrolled in the study. Data on various socio-economic, demographic variables and feeding practices were collected from mothers using the questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements such as weight, height/length was done to all the study population using standard equipment and procedures.
The scoring system on infants and young children feeding practices developed by World Health Organization (WHO) and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) scoring were applied for comparison.
Results: The initiation of breastfeeding within an hour was found in 42.81% of children. Pre-lacteal feed was given in 31.19% and complementary feeding beyond 7 months in 39.76%. Under-nutrition in terms of underweight, stunting, and wasting was noticed in 37.61%, 43.73%, and 29.66% of children, respectively. There was a significant association between IYCF scoring with stunting, age, and birth interval. The newborns devoided colostrum and were underweight and the newborns initiated breast-feeding after one hour showed stunting with a significant association.
Conclusion: Mother’s knowledge on infants and young children feeding practices is needed to be promoted to prevent malnutrition among children. These findings can help the health authorities in future plans for infant and young feeding practices in Shamirpet Mandal, Hyderabad, India.