Assessment of Problems During Exclusive Breast Feeding Among Primipara Mothers at Sri Gokulam Hospital, Salem, Tamilnadu

Abstract

Mothers are recommended to exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first six months of their lives. This study determined to assess the problems associated with exclusive breast feeding (EBF) of primipara mothers. A descriptive design using purposive sampling technique of 100 primipara mothers having one year infant were selected from the study population. Ethical aspects maintained thro ughout the study. Data was collected using practice questionnaire and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The major findings identified were pressure from family and friends to bottle feed 26%, taboos for lactating mothers to avoid water and certain foods accounts 30%, 27 % mothers reported interference from mother in law to administer water as a major socio-cultural problem they faced, while psychological problems encountered ranged from worry and stress of feeding at all times even at night (42%), having to breastfeed even in public places (84%), fear that the baby might not be getting enough nutrients (61%). From the findings of the study, it is clear that breastfeeding mothers face a lot of problems in their attempt to carry out exclusive breast-feeding.