Abstract

This study explores the crucial link between maternal nutrition and infant health outcomes during the first six months of life, focusing on lactating mothers in Shahpur Jat, Delhi. The research aimed to understand how mothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) affect the nutritional well-being of their infants. In a country where maternal under nutrition remains a major public health concern, issues such as low birth weight, stunted growth, and delayed development continue to affect infant health, especially in low-income and underserved urban settings. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 41 mothers of infants aged 0–6 months using a structured questionnaire. The study collected data on maternal dietary habits, breastfeeding behaviors, awareness of nutritional needs, and perceived health outcomes. The findings revealed widespread gaps in knowledge, particularly regarding the importance of micronutrients and the long-term effects of maternal malnutrition on child health. While a majority of mothers understood that poor maternal nutrition could lead to low birth weight, fewer were aware of how it affects brain development, immune function, and long-term disease risk. Additional challenges reported by participants included restricted dietary diversity, culturally imposed food taboos, fatigue, emotional stress, and ongoing food insecurity. While better education levels correlated with improved knowledge, actual dietary practices were influenced by a more complex mix of economic limitations, cultural beliefs, emotional well-being, and social dynamics. The study recommends community-centered interventions that go beyond standard nutrition education. Programs should incorporate culturally sensitive counseling, emotional and mental health support, and improved outreach from community health workers. These insights can inform public health efforts aimed at breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and ensuring healthier starts for infants in urban low-income settings.