Feeding practices of infants delivered in a district hospital during the implementation of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative

A study on infant feeding practices was conducted during the implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in a district hospital. The aim was to identify which population subgroups had lower breastfeeding rates at 4 months and the effect of attendance of antenatal breastfeeding education on breastfeeding practices. All infants delivered in May 1996 were followed-up. 204 respondents were analyzed. This study demonstrated a higher exclusive and any breastfeeding rates at 4 months than some other studies. (48% and 76% respectively). It was found that the Malays were more likely to be breastfeeding exclusively at 4 months (72%) than the Indians (32%) and the Chinese (4%). (P < 0.01). There were more non-working mothers breastfeeding exclusively at 4 months than working mothers. (60% versus 26%) P < 0.01. Antenatal breastfeeding education in the form that was given appeared to improve breastfeeding rates at 4 months. Future efforts to promote breastfeeding should target the Chinese mothers and the working mothers.