Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026.
World J Clin Pediatr. Sep 9, 2026; 15(3): 118218
Published online Sep 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.118218
Published online Sep 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.118218
Table 1 Sociodemographic variables, n (%)
| Variables | |
| Place of residence | |
| Rural | 261 (68.7) |
| Urban | 119 (31.3) |
| Mean age of mothers in years (mean ± SD) | 24.34 ± 3.83 |
| Average gestational age in weeks (mean ± SD) | 38.42 ± 1.32 |
| Education of mothers | |
| Up to SSC (high school) | 197 (51.9) |
| Beyond SSC (high school) | 183 (48.1) |
| Religion | |
| Hindu | 341(89.7) |
| Others | 39 (10.3) |
| Profession | |
| Non-working (housewife) | 368 (96.9) |
| Working | 12 (3.1) |
| Gravidity | |
| Primigravida | 116 (30.5) |
| Multigravida | 264 (69.5) |
| Maternal counselling | |
| Done | 317 (83.4) |
| Not done | 63 (16.6) |
| Mothers with previous breastfeeding experience | |
| Yes | 236 (62.1) |
| No | 144 (37.9) |
| Mothers having other medical illnesses | |
| Yes | 52 (13.7) |
| No | 328 (86.3) |
| Gender of the newborn | |
| Male | 212 (55.8) |
| Female | 168 (44.2) |
| Mode of delivery | |
| Vaginal delivery | 95 (25) |
| Caesarean section | 285 (75) |
| Newborns receiving prelacteal feeds | |
| Yes | 15 (3.9) |
| No | 365 (96.1) |
| Mothers having lactation problems | |
| Yes | 69 (18.2) |
| No | 311 (81.8) |
- Citation: Mashalkar DM, Sonar MN, Kulkarni DV, Kendre VD, Warad BS, Nagoba BS. Empowering early breastfeeding: Determinants of timely initiation among the infants in a rural Indian medical centre. World J Clin Pediatr 2026; 15(3): 118218
- URL: https://www.wjgnet.com/2219-2808/full/v15/i3/118218.htm
- DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5409/wjcp.118218