Background. Breastfeeding counseling (BFC) plays a crucial role in improving infant and young child feeding practices. To evaluate the impact of activities of BFC unit (BFCU) on breastfeeding practices of infants who were hospitalized for diarrheal illness through their regular counseling, assistance and support, and motivation. Methods. In this retrospective chart analysis conducted at Dhaka Hospital of icddr,b using an electronic database, data were collected from mothers of infants younger than 6 months of age who visited the BFCU from 2011 to 2015. Results. Among a total of 3420 infants enrolled during study period, 429 (12.5%) were predominantly breastfed, 2457 (71.8%) partially breastfed, 531 (15.5%) non-breastfed, and 3 (0.1%) exclusively breastfed (EBF) at home. Through counseling of BFCU (following 24-hour recall technique), 2212 (65%) infants became EBF and 1186 (35%) failed to be EBF during discharge. Logistic regression analysis after adjusting for potential covariates, such as maternal age <18 years and receiving breast milk with other liquid at home, revealed that infants having severe underweight, maternal perception of "baby does not suck," and "there is not enough milk" were less likely to be associated with EBF during discharge. Among 531 non-breastfed infants, 455 (85.7%) became partial breastfeeding and only 23 (4.3%) became EBF. Conclusion. Counseling of mothers even during acute illness of infants in the hospital can help promote breastfeeding. Therefore, there is great importance of robust counseling on breastfeeding practices and may help establish re-lactation of acutely ill babies.
Keywords: EBF; breastfeeding counseling; diarrhea in infancy; exclusive breastfeeding; partial breastfeeding; predominant breastfeeding.