Feeding the Future: Analyzing the Factors Influencing Bottle-Feeding Among Infants Under 0-6 Months in Bangladesh

Objective This cross-sectional study investigated the socio-demographic predictors of bottle-feeding among infants aged 0–6 months in Bangladesh. Design A cross sectional study utilizing a structured and pre-tested questionnaire for data collection. Setting The study, conducted from October to December 2024 in the Dhaka and Jessore districts. Participants were selected from mother-and-child healthcare facilities through convenient sampling, ensuring representation from both urban and rural areas. Participants A total of 335 mothers with infants aged 0–6 month were selected through interviewing techniques from healthcare facilities. Main Outcome measure The primary outcome measure was the prevalence and socio-demographic predictors of bottle-feeding among infants aged 0–6 months in Bangladesh. Analysis Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and binary logistic regression, identified significant predictors of bottle-feeding. Result Infants aged 5–6 months and those with birth weights ≥ 2.5 kg were more likely to be bottle-fed, while infants aged 3–4 months and those with lower birth weights were less likely to be bottle-fed. Younger mothers (< 18 years) and those residing in rural areas were consistently associated with higher odds of bottle-feeding. Although gender, family income, and maternal education showed varying effects, some associations diminished after adjusting for other factors. Conclusions and Implications These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions, such as breastfeeding education for younger mothers and strategies to address rural disparities, in order to promote optimal infant feeding practices and improve child health outcomes in Bangladesh.