Frequency of Breastfeeding Practices Among Infants Presenting at Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan

Breastfeeding is a cornerstone of infant nutrition and plays a vital role in promoting optimal growth, development, and immunity. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life; however, adherence to recommended breastfeeding practices remains suboptimal in many low- and middle-income countries. Understanding local breastfeeding patterns is essential for developing targeted interventions. Objective: To determine the frequency of breastfeeding practices among infants presenting at Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics at Mardan Medical Complex from 29 June 2024 to 29 December 2024 and included 227 infants aged 1–8 months of either gender presenting to the pediatric outpatient department. Preterm infants and those with congenital heart or chronic lung diseases were excluded. All participants were assessed for breastfeeding practices, including exclusive breastfeeding, predominant breastfeeding, and partial breastfeeding, under the supervision of a consultant pediatrician. Data were collected using a pre-designed structured proforma and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. Frequencies and percentages were calculated, and associations between breastfeeding practices and demographic variables were assessed using appropriate statistical tests; p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the infants was 4.37 ± 2.33 months, and the mean weight was 6.35 ± 1.17 kg. There were 124 (54.6%) male and 103 (45.4%) female infants. Exclusive breastfeeding was practiced by 58 (25.6%) mothers, predominant breastfeeding by 69 (30.4%), and partial breastfeeding by 100 (44.1%). Maternal employment status was associated with breastfeeding practices (p = 0.005), with employed mothers demonstrating lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: Partial breastfeeding was the most common feeding practice among infants, followed by predominant breastfeeding, while exclusive breastfeeding was the least common. Maternal employment was significantly associated with reduced exclusive breastfeeding rates. Targeted breastfeeding counseling and workplace support initiatives are needed to improve exclusive breastfeeding practices and promote optimal infant nutrition.