Table 4 Adjusted percentage of children who were on exclusive breastfeeding at the age of one month by socioeconomic category of mother and household during NFHS-1 & NFHS-3

Residence

Urban

43*

2

54*

2

50*

2

57**

9

72

6

65

6

Rural⁺

56

1

61

1

58

1

63

7

68

4

65

6

Mother’s age at birth (years)

<20

54

1

58

2

56

1

56

11

69*

4

62

7

20 – 34⁺

56

1

61

1

59

1

61

7

68

5

64

6

35 & above

50**

2

53*

3

51*

2

81**

0

96**

0

85**

0

Mother’s education

Illiterate⁺

56

1

63

1

58

1

59

7

72

4

64

6

Literate, < middle school complete

50

1

52*

2

51*

1

61

12

73**

5

67

8

Middle school complete & above

47

2

56*

2

52*

2

63

6

66

5

64

5

Mother’s occupation

Non gainful occupation+

54

1

57

2

55

1

59

8

64

5

61

7

Gainful occupation

59

1

65

2

64

1

65

7

83*

2

73

5

Standard of living index

Low⁺

56

1

63

2

60

1

61

8

81

0

68

5

Medium

54

1

58

2

56

1

65

6

67**

6

67

6

High

47

1

48

2

46*

2

58

8

64*

7

61

7

Interval since last birth

First birth/preceding birth interval 2 years or more⁺

55

1

59

2

56

1

67

2

74

4

70

3

Preceding birth interval less than 2 years

50*

2

58

2

54**

2

47**

18

54

4

51

13

Antenatal & natal care

Yes

49*

1

59

2

55*

2

62

8

69

5

66

6

No⁺

58

1

56

2

57

1

58

7

72

1

61

6

Size of the baby

Large/average⁺

53

1

58

1

55

1

62

5

70

4

66

4

Small

58*

2

60*

3

59*

2

58

16

67

7

63

12

54

1

58

2

56

2

61

7

69

5

65

6