Problems encountered by breastfeeding mothers in their practice of exclusive breast feeding in tertiary hospitals in Enugu State, South-east Nigeria

Abstract

This study determined the knowledge of mothers about exclusive breast feeding (EBF), identified the difficulties associated with psycho-socio-cultural values and investigated other problems the mothers encountered. Using a convenience sampling technique, 240 women were selected from the study population (800). Researcher’s developed questionnaire was used to collect data which were analyzed using descriptive statistics. 50% of the mothers knew that feeding with only breast milk without the addition of water or food for six months was what EBF entailed, 33% mothers believed that giving baby water once in a while also meant EBF, while 8% women expressed no knowledge of EBF. 88% women reported interference from mothers-in-law to give water as a major socio-cultural problem they faced, while 63% agreed that they had never eaten nutritional foods like snail, pork, etc due to cultural myths and superstitions. Psychological problems encountered ranged from worry and stress of feeding at all times even at night (92%), having to breastfeed even in public places (82%), fear that the baby might not be getting enough nutrients (71%), to trauma of expressing breast milk (67%), fear of safety of expressed breast milk (68%) and a feeling that the baby will “dry up” if not given water or other fluids (50%). Other factors identified were: work place not conducive (91.6%), lack of adequate education at ante natal clinics (63%). A thorough health education campaign aimed at educating lactating mothers on the need to practice EBF should address the identified factors. Key words: Infant nutrition, breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, problems encountered.