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Socio-economic And Cultural Correlates Of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Nursing Mother
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Adequate
nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential to ensure the
growth, health, and development of children their full potential. It
has been recognized worldwide that breastfeeding is beneficial for both
the mother and child, as breast milk is considered the best source of
nutrition for an infant.
The World Health Organization (WHO)
recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six
months, followed by breastfeeding along with complementary foods for up
to age or beyond. Exclusive breastfeeding can be defined as a practice
whereby the infants receive only breast milk and not been water, other
liquids, tea, herbal preparations, or food during months of life, with
the exception of vitamins, mineral supplements, or medicines. The major
advantage of exclusive breastfeeding from to 6 months includes reduced
morbidity due to gastrointestinal infection. However, manyresearchers
are questioning there is sufficient evidence to confidently recommend
exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months for infants in developed countries
due to the fact that breast milk may not meet the full energy
requirements of e average infant at 6 months of age. Nevertheless, there
is scanty data that give estimation about the proportion of exclusively
breastfed infants at risk of specific nutritional deficiencies.
Several
studies have shown that mothers find it difficult to meet personal
goals and to adhere to the expert recommendations for continued and
exclusive breastfeeding despite increase rate of initiations. Some of
the major factors that affect exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding
include breast problems such as sore nipples or mother's perceptions
that she is producing inadequate milk, societal barriers such as
employment and length of maternity leave; inadequate breastfeeding
knowledge; lack of familial and societal support; lack of guidance and
encouragement from health When breast milk or infant formula no longer
supplies required energy and nutrients to sustain normal growth health
and development, complementary feeding care professionals. These factors
in tum promote the early use of breast milk substitute.
When breast
milk or infant formula no longer supplies infants with required energy
and nutrients to sustain normal growth and optimal health and
development, complementary feeding should be introduced. According to
the WHO recommendation, the appropriate age at which solids should be
introduced is around 6 months owing to the immaturity of the
gastrointestinal tract and the renal system as well as on the
neurophysiological status of the infant. Factors that influence the
weaning process include infant feeding problems such as refusal to eat,
colic, and vomiting among These factors represent challenges for mothers
and in tum direct or indirectly influence the feeding pattern Hence,
understanding the factors affecting infant nutrition in Nigeria can help
in developing strategies to promote breastfeeding and overcoming
problems faced by mothers and children.
Predictors of breastfeeding
and weaning practices vary between and within countries. Urban or rural
difference, age, breast problems, good breastfeeding practices, mode of
delivery, heal system practices, and community beliefs have all been
found to influence breastfeeding in different areas of developing
countries. Information on the prevalence and factors influencing infant
feeding practices is limited in Nigeria and dates back to 1996. This
present study determine infant feeding pattern and its predictors among
Nigerian mothers with the following objectives: to elucidate
breastfeeding practices, in terms of initiation, exclusivity, and
termination, and the factors influencing them; to determine the time
when weaning starts, the challenges met by mothers, and the type of
weaning adopted.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]Proper breastfeeding practices are effective ways for reducing childhood morbidity and mortality, while many mothers understand the importance of breastfeeding, others are less knowledgeable on the benefits of breastfeeding and weaning. The aim in here i to assess breastfeeding pattern, infant formula feeding pattern, and weaning introduction in Nigeria and to investigate the factors that infant nutrition. 150 mothers were interviewed using a questionnaire which was designed to elicit informatio ... Continue reading---
