Breast feeding indicators from a rural community in West Bengal

Breast-feeding is important for the healthy growth and development of all babies. Rich in antibodies against diarrhea infections and food allergies breast milk contains all the essential nutrients which a healthy baby needs. Breast-feeding also helps to delay subsequent pregnancy. The breast-feeding habits of 211 rural children living 40 km northwest of Calcutta were assessed through household interviews with mothers. Under age 4 months 75.0% of infants were exclusively breast-fed and another 22.2% were mainly breast-fed. Timely complementary feeding was received by 56.4% of infants. 17.6% of infants under age 6 months received bottle feeding compared to 23.3% under age 12 months. The continued breast feeding rate at year 1 of 53.1% fell to 25.0% at the end of the second year of life.