Uneven breastfeeding practices in India, study urges better counselling
The study found that early initiation of breastfeeding, starting within one hour of birth, was higher in urban slums (50.4%) compared to non-slum areas (37.4%).
A recent study has found that breastfeeding practices in urban India remain below ideal levels, with clear differences between mothers living in slum and non-slum areas.
Using data from the National Family Health Survey (2015–16), researchers compared how often mothers in urban slums and better-off urban neighbourhoods breastfed their babies. The findings, published in PLOS One, highlight that while some progress has been made, important gaps still exist.
EARLY START BETTER IN SLUMS, BUT EXCLUSIVITY LOWER
The study found that early initiation of breastfeeding, starting within one hour of birth, was higher in urban slums (50.4%) compared to non-slum areas (37.4%).
However, when it came to exclusive breastfeeding (feeding only breast milk for the first six months), the trend reversed. Urban slums lagged behind at 50.1%, compared to 55.8% in non-slum areas.
This suggests that while mothers in slum areas may start breastfeeding earlier, they are less likely to continue it exclusively.
WHY THESE DIFFERENCES MATTER
Doctors say both early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding are crucial for a baby’s health. Early breastfeeding helps build immunity, while exclusive breastfeeding protects against infections and supports growth.
The study suggests that challenges are not limited to poorer communities alone. In fact, the lower early initiation rates in non-slum areas point to broader gaps in urban health systems and awareness.
ROLE OF HOSPITALS AND POLICIES
More than 90% of mothers in both slum and non-slum areas gave birth in health facilities, showing that government schemes promoting institutional deliveries are working.
Programmes like Janani Suraksha Yojana and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram have helped increase hospital births by offering financial support and free services.
However, the study found that giving birth in a health facility was linked to better early breastfeeding practices in non-slum areas, suggesting that counselling by health workers plays an important role.
Researchers say initiatives like Mother’s Absolute Affection programme should be strengthened to ensure mothers receive proper guidance after delivery, especially in urban slums.
The study also looked at social and economic factors. Mothers in non-slum areas were generally more educated and wealthier. However, access to information remained limited, with fewer than 20% of mothers in both groups regularly consuming news or radio.
Birth spacing also played a role. In slum areas, mothers with shorter gaps between pregnancies were more likely to start breastfeeding early, possibly due to more recent health counselling.
WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE
Researchers say breastfeeding practices in urban India need urgent attention across all sections of society.
“Improving access to counselling and support at health facilities can make a big difference,” the study suggests.
It also calls for more research into factors such as living conditions, social marginalisation, and environmental stress, which may affect a mother’s ability to breastfeed.
The findings show that breastfeeding challenges exist across urban India, not just in slums. While progress has been made in encouraging hospital births, the next step is ensuring that every mother gets the support she needs to start and continue breastfeeding.
Strengthening awareness, improving counselling, and addressing social barriers could help close this gap and improve child health outcomes across the country.
A recent study has found that breastfeeding practices in urban India remain below ideal levels, with clear differences between mothers living in slum and non-slum areas.
Using data from the National Family Health Survey (2015–16), researchers compared how often mothers in urban slums and better-off urban neighbourhoods breastfed their babies. The findings, published in PLOS One, highlight that while some progress has been made, important gaps still exist.
EARLY START BETTER IN SLUMS, BUT EXCLUSIVITY LOWER
The study found that early initiation of breastfeeding, starting within one hour of birth, was higher in urban slums (50.4%) compared to non-slum areas (37.4%).
However, when it came to exclusive breastfeeding (feeding only breast milk for the first six months), the trend reversed. Urban slums lagged behind at 50.1%, compared to 55.8% in non-slum areas.
This suggests that while mothers in slum areas may start breastfeeding earlier, they are less likely to continue it exclusively.
WHY THESE DIFFERENCES MATTER
Doctors say both early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding are crucial for a baby’s health. Early breastfeeding helps build immunity, while exclusive breastfeeding protects against infections and supports growth.
The study suggests that challenges are not limited to poorer communities alone. In fact, the lower early initiation rates in non-slum areas point to broader gaps in urban health systems and awareness.
ROLE OF HOSPITALS AND POLICIES
More than 90% of mothers in both slum and non-slum areas gave birth in health facilities, showing that government schemes promoting institutional deliveries are working.
Programmes like Janani Suraksha Yojana and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram have helped increase hospital births by offering financial support and free services.
However, the study found that giving birth in a health facility was linked to better early breastfeeding practices in non-slum areas, suggesting that counselling by health workers plays an important role.
Researchers say initiatives like Mother’s Absolute Affection programme should be strengthened to ensure mothers receive proper guidance after delivery, especially in urban slums.
The study also looked at social and economic factors. Mothers in non-slum areas were generally more educated and wealthier. However, access to information remained limited, with fewer than 20% of mothers in both groups regularly consuming news or radio.
Birth spacing also played a role. In slum areas, mothers with shorter gaps between pregnancies were more likely to start breastfeeding early, possibly due to more recent health counselling.
WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE
Researchers say breastfeeding practices in urban India need urgent attention across all sections of society.
“Improving access to counselling and support at health facilities can make a big difference,” the study suggests.
It also calls for more research into factors such as living conditions, social marginalisation, and environmental stress, which may affect a mother’s ability to breastfeed.
The findings show that breastfeeding challenges exist across urban India, not just in slums. While progress has been made in encouraging hospital births, the next step is ensuring that every mother gets the support she needs to start and continue breastfeeding.
Strengthening awareness, improving counselling, and addressing social barriers could help close this gap and improve child health outcomes across the country.
