Severe Maternal Malnutrition: Whether the Babies Are at Risk of Bottle Feeding?

Abstract

Objectives: This research paper aims at finding the association between maternal malnutrition with their choice of feeding practices (breast, bottle, or mix) of infants who are under 6 months of age. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken from 1st March 2019 to 31st August 2019 at the inpatient and outpatient of the pediatric department of Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar. The data was collected on a predesigned proforma recording demographic characteristics of the responders and their feeding practices; exclusive breastfeeding or mixed (breast+ bottle) feeding. Additionally, maternal malnutrition was assessed by calculating their BMI. The data were analyzed in SPSS version 23. Chi-squared was used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 278 mothers of infants 1-6 months were interviewed about their feeding practices and BMI recorded. The association between maternal malnutrition and breast/bottle feeding was insignificant (P>0.05). Conclusion: There is no association between maternal malnutrition and the choice of bottle feeding of infants. Keywords: Infants, bottle feeding, breastfeeding, maternal malnourishment, body mass index