Assessment of Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicators with Special Emphasis on Practices and Knowledge of Mothers in Rural Areas

The IYCF practices have a great impact on the physical and mental development of the child. The objective of this study was to study the knowledge and compliance to IYCF practices along. The lactating mothers with the children in the age group 0-11 months were studied. Mothers knowledge level is average about IYCF components, 44.7 % mothers have proper knowledge about IYCF practice.61.2 % mothers have knowledge on initiation of breast-feeding within an hour of birth while 50.7 % of the mothers initiated breast-feeding within an hour after birth. Exclusive breast-feeding for 6 months was practiced by the mothers of 65.6 %.64 % of the mothers told that complimentary feeding should start at 6 months and 59.8 % of the mother will continue breast fed for 2 years of infants.