Knowledge and practice of mothers regarding breast feeding: a hospital based study

Abstract

Background: Although breastfeeding is a common practice in Nepal, proper breastfeeding is on the decline due to several factors. The impact of knowledge about breastfeeding practice, i.e., duration of breastfeeding, proper techniques, proper time of weaning is poorly understood. Objective: To assess the knowledge and actual practices of mothers regarding breastfeeding. Methods: Cross sectional study was carried out on 200 mothers of under 1 year old children who attending the pediatric Out Patient Department, well baby clinic and immunization clinic at BPKIHS, Dharan. Mothers were interviewed using pre-designed questionnaire. Result: All mothers knew that they had to breast feed their babies, but they did not have adequate knowledge about the appropriate way of breastfeeding. 10% knew that they have to initiate breast feeding within ½ hour of birth, 10% had idea on prelacteal feed, 25% had idea on importance of colostrums, 15% knew the meaning of exclusive breast feeding, and 15% of the mothers had idea on importance of night feeding. 41.5% mothers initiated breast feeding within ½ hour of birth, 33% mothers gave prelacteal feed, colostrum was fed by 95%, 15% were practicing exclusive breast feeding, 90% mothers were practicing night feeds, 15% mothers practiced feeding one side at a time, 60% mothers were practicing inappropriate attachment and positioning, None of the mothers got any advice regarding breast feeding during ANC visits. Conclusion: Undesirable cultural practices such as giving prelacteal feeds, late initiation of breastfeeding after birth, delay in introduction of weaning foods and avoiding exclusive breastfeeding are still prevalent among the mothers. The maternal knowledge towards breast feeding was inadequate and there was a big gap between actual and desired practices.

Pregnant Women’s Knowledge Gaps about Breastfeeding in Northern Portugal

“…Chaudhary et al [9] observed that 75% revealed a lack of knowledge about the meaning of exclusive breastfeeding and the importance of night feeding. Ekambaram et al [8] reported that the maternal knowledge was inadequate regarding time to initiate breastfeeding (92%), colostrum feeding (56%), duration of exclusive breastfeeding (38%), and expressed breast milk (51%).…”

“…[2] [16] According to the literature, antenatal education is an important factor in developing breastfeeding knowledge development and fos-tering breastfeeding skills and confidence for initiating and maintaining breastfeeding until the sixth month, as currently recommended. [2] [4] Nevertheless, Chaudhary et al [9] argued that maternal knowledge about breastfeeding was inadequate, and there was a big gap between actual and desired practices. In turn, others authors claimed that increasing mothers' knowledge was the first step to increase breastfeeding rates and duration.…”

“…Studies have highlighted that a mother's knowledge and skills can increase the rate and duration of breastfeeding and are a relevant component of effective decisions and actions related to breastfeeding. [4]- [9] Several studies suggest that the main factors associated with short duration of breastfeeding were maternal ones. Specifically concerning knowledge on breastfeeding, the study reported that poor maternal knowledge was a relevant risk factor for breastfeeding abandonment.…”

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers in Pokhara-Lekhnath

“…The study showed that 41.5% had started breastfeeding less than one hour. Another study done in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among multigravid women attending antenatal clinic which showed that 47.2% exclusively breastfeeds for first six months of life 14 .…”

Knowledge and Practice of Breast Feeding among Young Adult Women in Rural Tamil Nadu

“…A crucial role is played by the duration of breast feeding, the time when the baby is weaned and the time of initiation of breast feeding in determining the health of the baby 4 . Chaudhary et al, 5 denoted 'WHO had recommended the immediate initiation of breast feeding after birth preferably within half an hour after delivery. This would enable the baby to get colostrum' .…”