Why do mothers fail to breastfeed successfully? A descriptive study done at selected lactation management centres in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (BF) up to six months is recommended in Sri Lanka because it is known to be the best food for the infants and it provides vast benefits to the mother as well. Since exclusive BF rates decline with the advancing age of the baby, it is quite obvious that mothers face difficulties in BF.Objective: To describe the factors associated with difficulties in BF in mothers with neonates attending selected lactation management centres in the Colombo district. 2 . A study in the United States found a 25% increase in mortality among non-breast fed infants 3 . A study in Sri Lanka showed about 16% incidence of breast and nipple abnormalities in primigravida women and around 92% of them exclusively breast fed with support 4 . A study in a rural area in Sri Lanka found that 32% of the babies less than 3 months of age were on formula milk, and that difficulty in BF was a significant factor in starting formula feeding 5 . Method

Maternal Perception of Adequacy of Mother’s Milk Among Mothers Giving Birth at a Teaching Hospital in Sri Lanka

“…Hackman et al (2015) reported primiparity as a risk factor for PIM. High exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 months suggest that a vast majority of Sri Lankan primiparous mothers eventually end up breastfeeding successfully even if they struggle with breastfeeding initially (Fernando & Prathapan, 2017). It is possible that having this previous experience gives the multiparous mothers confidence in breastfeeding in subsequent childbirths.…”

“…These beliefs and expectations make mothers feel that their milk supply is inadequate, especially in the first few days, until lactogenesis II has occurred. A recent study in Sri Lanka (Fernando & Prathapan, 2017) revealed “living in an extended family” as a risk factor for having difficulties in breastfeeding.…”