Barriers in Compliance to IYCF (Infant and Young Children Feeding) Guidelines about Exclusive Breast Feeding (At KIMS, Karad, Maharashtra)

Millions of deaths can be averted by scaling up exclusive breast feeding, EBF rate By end of one and half month is seen in only 69 % of mothers and by 4-6 months only one fourth of mothers are giving EBF to their babies. Factors influencing non-initiation or early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding had already been evaluated under NFHS data but only for babies born in community settings, these factors need to be investigated for the neonates born out of community settings. Also identification of the barriers to the Exclusive Breast Feeding is necessary and to overcome these barriers is absolutely needed to improve the rate of EBF. Strict adherence to the guidelines laid down by Infant and Young Children Feeding Practices for Exclusive Breast Feeding is the need of hour to improve the rate of EBF practices.