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Background <p>Breastfeeding is essential for enhancing a child’s immunity, neurocognitive development, growth, and future economic prospects while offering substantial benefits to mothers. This study uses extensive nationally representative data to examine the determinants of breastfeeding practices in India.</p> Methods <p>The study employed data from the latest round of the Indian demographic and health survey [DHS (2019–21)]. Logistic regression and negative binomial models were used to investigate the determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding (within 1&#xa0;h), exclusive breastfeeding (under 6&#xa0;months), continued breastfeeding (12–23&#xa0;months), and duration (months) of breastfeeding among children under the age of 2&#xa0;years/23&#xa0;months.</p> Findings <p>In India, a female child was more likely to be exclusively breastfed for the initial 6&#xa0;months [odds ratio (OR) 1.13; confidence interval (CI) (1.03–1.23)] in comparison to a male child, while the duration of breastfeeding was shorter [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.96; CI (0.93–0.98)]. Children born with the average size at birth [OR 1.18; CI (1.10–1.27)] and belonging to second to fourth birth order [OR 1.19; CI (1.11–1.26)] had higher odds of early initiation of breastfeeding. Notably, higher paternal educational attainment was associated with lower odds of early initiation of breastfeeding [OR 0.88; CI (0.58–0.93)] and exclusive breastfeeding [OR 0.82; CI (0.70–0.96)]. Mothers who received PNC and breastfeeding counseling during the first 2&#xa0;days had higher odds of early initiation of breastfeeding [OR 1.12; CI (1.04–1.21)] and exclusive breastfeeding [OR 1.16; CI (1.03–1.31)]. Furthermore, women who received assistance from Anganwadi while breastfeeding had a higher likelihood of early initiation of breastfeeding [OR 1.26; CI (1.19–1.34)] and continuous breastfeeding [OR 1.25; CI (1.16–1.36)].</p> Conclusion <p>In summary, both maternal and paternal characteristics significantly influence breastfeeding practices in India. Policymakers must adopt a multi-pronged strategy that includes breastfeeding counseling, regulation of the breast milk substitute industry, provision of lactation rooms in public places, utilization of information and communication technology tools, increased paternal involvement in nursing, specialized training for health and nutrition professionals, and regular health education&#xa0;sessions.</p>

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Concomitant Factors Influencing Breastfeeding Practices in India: Evidence from Demographic and Health Survey 2019–21

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月12日

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  • Charu Tayal,
  • Rajesh Sharma,
  • Kusum Lata

摘要

Background

Breastfeeding is essential for enhancing a child’s immunity, neurocognitive development, growth, and future economic prospects while offering substantial benefits to mothers. This study uses extensive nationally representative data to examine the determinants of breastfeeding practices in India.

Methods

The study employed data from the latest round of the Indian demographic and health survey [DHS (2019–21)]. Logistic regression and negative binomial models were used to investigate the determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding (within 1 h), exclusive breastfeeding (under 6 months), continued breastfeeding (12–23 months), and duration (months) of breastfeeding among children under the age of 2 years/23 months.

Findings

In India, a female child was more likely to be exclusively breastfed for the initial 6 months [odds ratio (OR) 1.13; confidence interval (CI) (1.03–1.23)] in comparison to a male child, while the duration of breastfeeding was shorter [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.96; CI (0.93–0.98)]. Children born with the average size at birth [OR 1.18; CI (1.10–1.27)] and belonging to second to fourth birth order [OR 1.19; CI (1.11–1.26)] had higher odds of early initiation of breastfeeding. Notably, higher paternal educational attainment was associated with lower odds of early initiation of breastfeeding [OR 0.88; CI (0.58–0.93)] and exclusive breastfeeding [OR 0.82; CI (0.70–0.96)]. Mothers who received PNC and breastfeeding counseling during the first 2 days had higher odds of early initiation of breastfeeding [OR 1.12; CI (1.04–1.21)] and exclusive breastfeeding [OR 1.16; CI (1.03–1.31)]. Furthermore, women who received assistance from Anganwadi while breastfeeding had a higher likelihood of early initiation of breastfeeding [OR 1.26; CI (1.19–1.34)] and continuous breastfeeding [OR 1.25; CI (1.16–1.36)].

Conclusion

In summary, both maternal and paternal characteristics significantly influence breastfeeding practices in India. Policymakers must adopt a multi-pronged strategy that includes breastfeeding counseling, regulation of the breast milk substitute industry, provision of lactation rooms in public places, utilization of information and communication technology tools, increased paternal involvement in nursing, specialized training for health and nutrition professionals, and regular health education sessions.