Background: Proper breastfeeding practices are effective ways for reducing childhood morbidity and
mortality. The objective of the present study was to determine the patterns and explore the determinants
associated with breast feeding practices among the nursing women in Dera Ghazi Khan. Methods: A
cross sectional study was conducted on randomly selected lactating mother infant pairs in Dera Ghazi
Khan. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Analysis was done by using SPSS, chi
square test was applied to see the association between breast feeding practices and its determinants such
as knowledge of breast feeding practices. Results: Majority 372 (93%) of mothers mentioned that they
had ever breastfed the youngest child. About 292 (73%) mothers gave colostrum to the child, and 48
(12%) exclusively breastfed. Weaning babies before four month of age was practiced by 84 (21%) of
the mothers, 120 (55%) mothers started weaning at 4-6months of child age, while 72 (18%) started to
give additional food after baby turned six months old. Out of total 276 (69%) mothers reported that they
had knowledge regarding breast feeding. Significant association was found between knowledge of
breastfeeding and initiation and Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) practices (p-values <0.05). Income,
family type, mode of delivery and assistance for child were significantly associated with initiation of
breastfeeding within one hour after birth (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Breast feeding practices in the
studied area were not up to the mark. There is a strong need to improve the breastfeeding practices by
Behavior Change Communication.