Table 2.
Awareness about the benefits and practices of breastfeeding among the antenatal and postnatal mothers in rural villages of Tamil Nadu (n=377)
| Characteristics | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|
| Awareness about whom the benefits of breastfeeding are intended | |
| Benefit to both mother and child | 305 (80.9) |
| Benefit only to the child | 47 (12.5) |
| Benefit only to the mother | 4 (1.1) |
| Do not know | 21 (5.5) |
| Awareness about the benefits (hormonal, growth, and immunity) of breastfeeding | |
| Natural contraception | 165 (43.8) |
| Involution of uterus | 40 (10.6) |
| Increased lactation | 161 (42.7) |
| Mother to child bonding | 309 (82.0) |
| Child to mother bonding | 340 (90.2) |
| Growth and development | 341 (90.4) |
| Immunity | 338 (89.7) |
| Awareness about the breastfeeding practices | |
| Additional calorie requirement | 279 (74.0) |
| Additional protein requirement | 212 (56.2) |
| Breastfeeding during illness | 262 (69.5) |
| Weaning practices | 287 (76.1) |