Ann Pediatr Res | Volume 3, Issue 2 | Research Article | Open Access
Niharika Gahlod*, Arun Sajjanar, Deepak Viswanath, Sneha Khekade, Miranda George and Manveen Kaur Lamba
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Swargiya Dadasaheb Kalmegh Smruti Dental College and Hospital, India
*Correspondance to: Niharika Gahlod
Fulltext PDFIntroduction: Breast milk provides complete nutrition to the newborn at the same time it develops the emotional bond for love and care for mother. Despite of knowing the health benefits, the breast feeding practice is declining globally. Many women do not breastfeed or start it late. Optimal source of nutrition is the breast milk for the infant but when breast milk is not available, iron-fortified infant formula is an appropriate alternative for the infant’s first year of life. Infant formula is a food which purports to be or is represented for special dietary use solely as a food for infants by reason of its simulation of human milk or its suitability as a complete or partial substitute for human milk. The first dental visit of the child should be scheduled as soon as the first teeth erupts or if not, on his first birthday. Aim and Objectives: To assess the maternal attitude towards the feeding practices, the awareness among mothers regarding the feeding practices, the maternal education and awareness towards oral hygiene measures, the knowledge and attitude regarding the first dental visit of the child. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in playschools. The age group included is 21/2 to 31/2 years. A questionnaire was given to the mothers of the children in playschool which included multiple choice questions with both close ended and open ended questions. The questionnaire was framed in English and Hindi. The questionnaire included the questions regarding the breast feeding, bottle feeding and combined feeding practices, infant milk formula, solids and semi-solid food, awareness regarding growth and development of child and first dental visit. The evaluation of results was done based on questionnaire filled by mothers and subjected to suitable statistical analysis. Results: In our study, we have assessed the awareness and maternal attitude towards the feeding practices. Combined breastfeeding practice was most commonly used that is breast feeding and bottle feeding. More than 60% of the mothers did not clean the child’s mouth after feeding them. Very few of them were aware about the fact that there is need of cleaning mouth after every feed. Maximum mothers disagree to the fact that their children practice any of the oral habits, and if practiced it was mostly thumb sucking habit. But they were not aware of the fact that it causes harm to the dentition. Most of mothers did not visit the dentist with their child. They are not aware about the specialty dentist to visit. Conclusion: According to our study, mothers preferred bottle feeding practice over breastfeeding. Most of them were not aware of the fact that the oral cavity needs to be cleaned after every feed. Weaning commenced at the age of 21/2 years. Infant formula feed was started after the age of 6 months. Mothers agreed that it is important to monitor growth of the child during any form of feeding. Most of them did not visit dental clinic before. Therefore, there is need for maternal awareness and education regarding the feeding practices in India. There should also be campaign for the oral hygiene awareness to avoid any problems in future.
Maternal attitude; Feeding practices; Breastfeeding; Infant milk formula; First dental visit
Gahlod N, Sajjanar A, Viswanath D, Khekade S, George M, Kaur Lamba M. Kap Questionnaire to Assess Maternal Attitude towards Feeding Practices - A Cross-Sectional Study. Ann Pediatr Res. 2019; 3(2): 1023 .