iarjimphIARJIMPHIARJIMPH2709-331Xhttps://doi.org/10.47310/iarjimph.2021.v02i01.016A Cross-sectional Study on Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices of under five Children in Block Hajin of Kashmir ValleyRabiaAhmadShahAnjumBFaziliUroosaFarooqAllaqbandRohulJabeenShahA child’s initial years of life are considered to be the most critical period for growth and development. Good nutrition during these years can have a significantly positive impact on the cognitive and vital functions of children. Globally, efforts to scale up nutrition programs are working and benefiting children in many countries. Despite India’s progress over the past few decades, childhood malnutrition still continues to haunt its citizens. Though this may be attributed to lack of food, equally important are the existing suboptimal child care practices. Recognizing the fact that investing in nutrition is a key way of advancing child welfare, the Government of India implemented the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) strategy. Aim & Objective: To assess the infant feeding practices of the study population. Materials & Methods: This is a community based cross sectional study, conducted in Health Block Hajin of Kashmir Valley. The study sample (403) was drawn randomly by using multistage sampling technique based on Probability Proportionate to Size (PPS). Results: Most of the children belonged to age group 25 to 60 months (45.9%) followed by age group 7 to 24 months (36.0 %). There was female preponderance (54.1%) among the study subjects. Most of the study subjects were having birth order first (40.9%) and 56.6% had a birth weight of ≥2.5 Kg. Maximum respondents were living in nuclear families (40.0%) and most of them were having family size of 6 to 10 (45.9%) followed by family size ≤5 members (39.2%). Most of the mothers were illiterate (65%). 85.1% mothers were homemakers. Most of the respondents belonged to middle class family (96.5%). In the age group of 0 to 6 months 46.6% mothers reported that their infants were fed with pre-lacteal feeds. Commonest pre-lacteal feed given was sugar (82.3%). Maximum (95.9%) infants were fed with colostrum. In most (56.2%) of the infants breastfeeding was initiated within 1 to 2 hours. 68.5% infants were exclusively breastfed. Demand feeding was most common type of feeding (83.6%). In 96.6% breastfeeding was continued beyond 6 months and in 90.3% children complementary feeding was started between 6 to 7 months of age. Most of the children (86.9%) were fed with homemade complementary feeds followed by commercial feeds in 13.1%. Conclusions: From the overall findings of the study it is concluded that healthy practices were prevalent in the study population. These included colostrum feeding, early initiation of breastfeeding and continuation of the same up to 2 years of age and timely initiation of complementary feeds.