Background: Breastfeeding is beneficial for both mother and child, as breast milk is considered the best source of nutrition
for an infant. Lack of knowledge, prevailing misconceptions and cultural taboos significantly contribute to undesirable
breastfeeding practices such as delayed initiation and discarding of colostrum. In India since large number of babies born are
of low birth weight, proper breastfeeding practice is a major concern.
Objectives: To study the effect of socio-cultural factors on breastfeeding practices.
Methodology: This descriptive cross - sectional study done among mothers who had children aged less than 2 years, in the
catchment area of the Rural Health and Training Centre (RHTC). A total of 213 mothers were included in this study for
socio-cultural factors and breastfeeding practices. Data collection was done for the last child born.
Results: Mean age of mothers was 25.90 (± 5.15) years. 39.0% of the mothers were illiterate and 31.5% belonged to
socioeconomic class III. 27.7% of the mothers had initiated breastfeeding within 4 hours of delivery and 34.3% had provided
colostrum. Exclusive breast feeding for ≥ 6 months was provided by 36.6%. Only 12.2% had not offered any pre-lacteal
feeds. Elderly females in the families had major influence (54.5%) for breastfeeding practices. Source of information had
statistically significant relation with pre-lacteal feeds (p<0.001), and with exclusive breastfeeding (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Socio-cultural factors play a significant role in breastfeeding practices, therefore, breastfeeding intervention
programmes should take into consideration the socio cultural factors to promote exclusive breastfeeding.