Table 3 Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice in India using a multi-level model

Employment status of the mother

 Unemployed

Reference value

 Employed

0.94 (0.91, 0.98)

NFHS rounds

 NFHS 3

Reference value

 NFHS 4

1.22 (1.05, 1.4)

 NFHS 5

2 (1.08, 3.67)

Age of mother

 < 18

Reference value

 18–34

0.82 (0.79, 0.86)

 > 34

0.8 (0.64, 0.99)

Body Mass Index of mother

 Underweight

Reference value

 Normal

1.02 (1.02, 1.02)

 Overweight

1.08 (0.79, 1.49)

Mother’s education

 Illiterate

Reference value

 Primary

0.93 (0.77, 1.12)

 Secondary

0.95 (0.88, 1.02)

 Higher

0.85 (0.72, 1.01)

Media exposure

 No

Reference value

 Yes

1.11 (1.09, 1.14)

Husband’s employment status

 No

Reference value

 Yes

0.83 (0.56, 1.24)

Number of household members

 <=5

Reference value

 > 5

1.04 (0.85, 1.26)

Socio-economic status

 Poor

Reference value

 Middle

0.79 (0.59, 1.06)

 Rich

0.78 (0.59, 1.05)

Preceding birth interval

 < 3 years

Reference value

 ≥ 3 years

1.19 (0.95, 1.5)

Number of antenatal check-ups received

 < 4 ANC Visits

Reference value

 ≥ 4 ANC Visits

1.16 (1.16, 1.17)

Birth of the infant in a health facility

 No

Reference value

 yes

0.79 (0.64, 0.96)

Birth mode of the infant

 Normal Vaginal

Reference value

 Caesarean section

1.17 (0.75, 1.81)

Gender of the infant

 Male

Reference value

 Female

0.83 (0.8, 0.86)

Postnatal care received

 No

Reference value

 Yes

0.91 (0.86, 0.97)

Early initiation of the breastfeeding

 Yes

Reference Value

 No

0.83 (0.75, 0.92)

Constant

1.66 (0.92, 2.99)

Place of Residence Var (Constant)

-

Regions of India Var (Constant)

0.06 (0.05, 0.07)

ICC^a Place of Residence

0.0 (0.0, 0.0)

ICC^a Regions of India

0.01 (0.004, 0.01)