Improper breast feeding and feeding practices are one of the major reasons for childhood malnutrition. The present study was undertaken to assess the feeding practices of newborn babies. A pilot study was conducted on 120 newborns (weight, M SD, 2.82 0.50kg; boys 58%; girls 42 %) and their mothers collected. The data was expressed as the mean SD or median (range). 2 test was done to detect significant difference between the different groups whenever required. Among the newborns birth weight was normal ( 2.5 kg) in 75% babies and 25% babies were found to have LBW. About 58.3% were exclusive breast fed. Only 40.8% babies were breast fed within half an hour and 12.5% started within one hour after birth and 42% mother used prelacteal fed like sugar water and honey. The breasts fed frequency of the 52% babies were 8-12times/day. The prelacteal (water, juice, sugar water etc) fed were given to 48% of newborn babies. There was a positive association between mother's education-occupation and feeding practice of her baby ( 2= 14.5, p= 0.02 and 2= 30.63, p= 0.00). Feeding practices for newborn babies in Dhaka Medical College are nearby standard as suggested in the WHO Guidelines."

Moderate and severe malnutrition under two years children remain a major public health problem in Bangladesh. Under a cross sectional study, to assess the complementary feeding practice among 6-23 months of children according to WHO guidelines in selected slum areas of Dhaka city, 120 children (M 53% & F 47%, age 14 5.55 months) were collected purposively. Starting age of CF (months, M SD) was found 4.77 2.38. Only 22% of the children were given EBF. About 64% of the study subjects who were not exclusively breastfed started CF from 6 months and 11% during 4-6 months. Suji was mainly consumed by about 70% 6-8 months children for >1times/day and rice was taken in 9-11 months of age group (46%) and 12-23 months age group (74%) >1 times/day respectively. Egg, fish, GLV and fruits were the foods which consumed in least amount. In different age groups only 30%, 4% and 25% were found to receive appropriate frequency of meal and snacks according to WHO recommendations. About 52% of the subjects didn't talk and help their children during feeding. Our results provided fruitful evidence regarding inappropriate CF practices among the slum of Dhaka city."