Effect of the Socio-Economic Level on the Infant Weaning Practices in Maharashtrians

Abstract

The best food for infant is breast milk. In the first three to four months, a period of rapid growth, most infants thrive well on their mother's milk alone. However by five to six months of age, the baby needs other foods besides milk which supply energy, protein and other nutrients. It has been reported that early weaning is a common practice in developed countries where socioeconomic levels are high. This study was therefore undertaken to determine if in the same community the weaning practices of different socioeconomic groups are similar or different.