Nutritional Impact of Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices among Children Aged 6–24 Months in a Tertiary Hospital of Bangladesh

Introduction: Nutritional status in infancy and early childhood depends largely on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices. Optimal practices, including exclusive breastfeeding and timely complementary feeding, are essential to ensure adequate growth and development. Although breastfeeding is traditionally practiced in Bangladesh, inappropriate or delayed complementary feeding remains a major contributor to child malnutrition.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between IYCF practices and nutritional status among children aged 6–24 months attending a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pediatric Outpatient Department of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital from December 2020 to May 2021. A total of 207 children aged 6 to 24 months were enrolled. Data were collected on breastfeeding practices, timing of complementary feeding, and anthropometric measurements. Nutritional status was assessed using WHO Z-score classifications for weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ), and weight-for-length (WLZ). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with chisquare tests employed to determine associations between feeding practices and nutritional outcomes.

Results: Among the 207 children studied, the male-to-female ratio was 1.3:1. Age distribution revealed that 15.46% were 6–8 months old, 24.15% were 8–11 months, and 60.39% were 12–24 months. Most children (91.79%) received both breast milk and complementary foods; 5.80% were exclusively breastfed, and 2.42% received no breast milk. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months was reported in 74.40% of cases, while 83.66% of mothers-initiated breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. Complementary feeding was timely in 64.62% of children, and 21.54% received it earlier than recommended. Continued breastfeeding along with complementary foods was maintained in more than 94% of children, including all those under 12 months and 94.26% of those aged 12–24 months. The prevalence of underweight, wasting, and stunting was 33.33%, 18.36%, and 34.78%, respectively-highest in the 12–24 month age group. A statistically significant association (P < 0.05) was observed between appropriate IYCF practices and improved nutritional status. Children who received both breast milk and timely complementary foods showed higher rates of normal WAZ (75.40%), LAZ (73.81%), and WLZ (88.89%).

Conclusions: This study reinforces the importance of optimal feeding practices in early life to prevent malnutrition. Strengthening maternal education and health system support for breastfeeding and complementary feeding is critical in improving child health outcomes in Bangladesh.