Background: Breast feeding is one of the oldest practices recommended in the ancient Hindu
scriptures, Holy Quran and Biblical records. A recent estimate by the World Health Organization
(WHO) estimated that worldwide only 35% of children between birth and 5th month of their life
are breast fed exclusively. NFHS-III Data from India showed that the percentage of children who
were started breast feeding within one hour of birth was only 24.5%. Aims and Objectives: To
study awareness of Mother regarding breastfeeding practices and to find out socio demographic
correlates of breast feeding practices. Methodology: It was community based cross sectional study
conducted among 1267 children between age group of 0-24 months in the urban and rural field practice
areas of Department of Community Medicine, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences
and Research, Mullana, district Ambala, Haryana. A self designed semi structured questionnaire was used
to assess Mother’s knowledge, trends and determinants of infant and young child feeding practices.
Results: It is evident from the current study that education, employment, parity and type of
family significantly influenced exclusive breast feeding practices. Mothers receiving education
up to high school had significantly higher exclusive breast feeding rates (62.8%) compared to
mothers who attended high school and above (55%).Practice of exclusive breastfeeding was
more common among unemployed mothers (64.3%) compared to employed mothers (41.1%). In
the current study it was seen that mothers with low parity continued with exclusive breast
feeding compared to mothers with high parity. Conclusion: Since mother is an important figure
in child’s life, her beliefs and perceptions regarding infant feeding practices play a major role in
shaping up child’s health. In a vast country like India which is an abode of diverse cultures, it is
often seen that child rearing practices are guided by deep rooted customs and beliefs.