Table 5 Adjusted percentage of children who were on exclusive breastfeeding at the age of four month by socioeconomic category of mother and household during NFHS-1 & NFHS-3

Residence

Urban

14*

4

24*

6

21*

5

15

6

23

12

19

6

Rural⁺

24

2

29

4

27

3

32

6

39

9

35

5

Mother’s age at birth (years)

<20

22

3

26*

4

24**

3

28

6

29

12

29

7

20 – 34⁺

24

3

32

4

29

3

24

5

35

8

28

5

35 & above

22

3

23

6

23

3

41

8

3**

49

38

11

Mother’s education

Illiterate⁺

24

2

34

4

28

3

31

6

40

20

34

8

Literate, < middle school complete

19*

3

22*

4

21*

4

19

5

36

2

27

3

Middle school complete & above

14*

6

22*

6

19*

5

23

5

23

4

25

5

Mother’s occupation

Non gainful occupation⁺

22

3

26

4

24

3

23

5

31

6

26

4

Gainful occupation

26

3

33**

4

32*

3

32

7

38

21

35*

9

Standard of living index

Low⁺

25

2

35

4

30

3

29

4

48

11

36

4

Medium

22*

3

27**

4

25*

3

32

9

23*

12

29*

8

High

16*

4

15*

6

15*

5

18

4

29

10

24

5

Interval since last birth

First birth/preceding birth interval 2 years or more⁺

23

3

28

4

26

3

28

5

34

14

30

5

Preceding birth interval less than 2 years

19*

3

28

4

23*

4

26

5

39

2

31

4

Antenatal & natal care

Yes

19*

3

28**

4

25*

4

21

5

32

7

26

5

No⁺

26

3

26

3

25

3

42

5

35

22

42

7

Size of the baby

Large/average⁺

22

2

27

4

25

3

24

5

36

12

29

6

Small

24*

3

30*

6

27*

4

32

7

23*

6

29

6

54

24

3

29

5

26

26

5

33

10

29

6