Knowledge and Practices of Mothers Regarding Weaning Food among Children Aged 6–24 Months in Dhaka, Bangladesh: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Appropriate complementary feeding plays a vital role in ensuring optimal growth, development, and survival of children. In developing countries such as Bangladesh, inadequate maternal knowledge and inappropriate weaning practices contribute significantly to child malnutrition and related health complications. Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and practices regarding weaning food among mothers of children aged 6–24 months in an urban healthcare setting in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 195 mothers attending the Pediatric Outpatient Department of Kurmitola General Hospital, Dhaka. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire included sections on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of weaning, and feeding practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17, and descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were calculated. Results: The mean age of respondents was 26.76 ± 5.76 years. Awareness of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months was high, with 95.4% of mothers reporting knowledge of this recommendation. However, only 43.0% correctly identified six months as the appropriate age for initiating complementary feeding, revealing a substantial gap between general awareness and specific knowledge. Regarding complementary feeding practices, 48.2% of mothers-initiated weaning at the recommended age, while the remainder introduced complementary foods either earlier or later than advised. Overall, 42.5% of mothers demonstrated good knowledge and 50.0% had moderate knowledge. In contrast, only 35.0% exhibited good feeding practices, whereas 50.0% showed average practices, underscoring a clear disparity between knowledge and its practical application. Feeding frequency was relatively appropriate, with 69.2% of mothers providing 3–4 meals per day. Similarly, 65.1% of mothers maintained proper hygiene during feeding. Despite these positive indicators, the comparatively lower proportion of mothers with good overall practices suggests that awareness alone does not consistently translate into optimal complementary feeding behaviors.Bottom of Form Conclusion: The study found that although most mothers had moderate knowledge about weaning, this knowledge was not consistently reflected in their feeding practices. A clear gap existed between awareness and implementation, as only a limited proportion of mothers demonstrated good complementary feeding practices despite relatively higher knowledge levels. These findings indicate that knowledge alone is not enough to ensure appropriate weaning behaviors. Practical barriers, cultural influences, and challenges in applying learned information may contribute to suboptimal practices. This highlights the need to examine not only maternal awareness but also the broader contextual factors that shape feeding behaviors. From a practical perspective, interventions should go beyond information sharing and focus on skill-based counseling, behavior change strategies, and community-level support. Addressing these areas is essential to bridge the knowledge–practice gap and improve complementary feeding practices, ultimately enhancing child nutrition outcomes in Bangladesh.