International Journal of Home Science
2019, VOL. 5 ISSUE 2, PART E
Complementary feeding practises among tea garden workers of Nahortoli and Dikom tea estate of Dibrugarh district, Assam
Author(s): Manisha Dutta and Mousumi Gogoi
Abstract:
The present study was undertaken keeping in view the importance of practising breast feeding and complementary feeding at correct age for the proper growth and development of children of tea garden workers of two tea estates of Dibrugarh district. As there is a scarcity of literature on the complementary feeding practices in this region, the study was undertaken to find out the child feeding practises among the mothers of children aged six months to two years. 98% of the mothers under the study breast fed the child within 1 hour of the child birth. 95% of the mothers exclusively breast fed the child for 6 months. Only 5% of them continued exclusive breast-feeding for less than 6 months. 100% of the mothers under this study breast fed their child up to 24 months. Only 2% of them introduced complementary foods before 6 months which may be attributed to the insufficient production of milk. None of them were able to feed their child with commercially available complementary formula may be due to its high cost which is not possible for them to afford. 100% of them used family foods as complementary feeding. The result of this study would help in educating and counselling the prospective mothers about complementary feeding and findings of the study will assist programme implementers and stakeholders to make evidence-based decision in the improvement of children’s health by promoting better feeding practices to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition in such areas particularly in the vulnerable first year of life.
How to cite this article:
Manisha Dutta, Mousumi Gogoi. Complementary feeding practises among tea garden workers of Nahortoli and Dikom tea estate of Dibrugarh district, Assam. Int J Home Sci 2019;5(2):292-295.