Early initiation of breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and experiencing feeding challenges are associated with malnutrition

Malnutrition remains a public health concern amidst low proportions of the core infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, yet, data on specific practices that are associated with undernutrition rare. Hence, this study sought to assess their association among children. An analytical cross-sectional design was used mothers/caregivers children aged 6–23 months, attending welfare clinics in Techiman municipality, Ghana. Simple random sampling select 8 facilities, 403 participants were selected from those facilities using proportional stratification. A 24-h dietary recall based seven food groups collect children's intake derive WHO indicators. The length, weight, age taken compute anthropometric z-scores. who met minimum diversity (MDD), meal frequency (MMF), acceptable diet (MAD) 44%, 56%, 36% respectively. Children 6–8 months [AOR=2.24, CI (1.037–4.841); p = .04] 9-11 [AOR=2.47, (1.096–5.573); .029], not breastfed within first hour delivery [AOR 3.56, (1.833–6.912), < .001], bottle fed 2.87, (1.374–5.973); .005] more likely be wasted. 0.29, (0.126–0.672); .004] 9–11 0.24, (0.104–0.544); .001] experienced challenges 0.52, (0.301–0.905); 0.021] protected against stunting. percentages MDD, MMF, MAD undernutrition. Early initiation breastfeeding acute malnutrition experiencing chronic malnutrition. Promoting appropriate can reduce risk