Constraints to Exclusive Breastfeeding among Rural Mothers at Selected Villages of Patuakhali District in Bangladesh

Abstract

Continuation of only breast milk up to six months of age is called exclusive breastfeeding that ensure maximum benefits to child and mother. In Bangladesh, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding is not satisfactory. This study was done to find out the factors that impede exclusive breastfeeding and determine the nutritional status of two years non-exclusively breastfed child. This cross sectional study was conducted in Angaria union of Dumki upazila of Patuakhali district from July to December, 2017 in which among 157 mother’s 63 non-exclusive breastfed mothers were interviewed purposively. Statistical analysis was carried out using ENA and SPSS 16 software. Exclusive breastfeeding was found in 59.87% cases. Among the nonexclusive breastfed child, 19% reported get breast milk up to three months, 36.5% up to four months where only 14.3% mothers were able to feed breast milk to their child up to five months. Main constraints to exclusive breastfeeding were the mothers’ belief not enough breast milk production during lactation period to satisfy their babies (57.2%) because of lower intake of food by mother during their pregnancy and lactation period and doctors suggestion on early initiation of formula feeding (38.1%). Workload of mother, lack of nutrition education, less EBF (Exclusive Breastfeeding) benefits campaign, refuse breast milk by child, mother’s illness were other significant influential reasons too. Among the nonexclusive breastfed child majority of them were stunts (60.31%) followed by underweight (41.26%) and wasting (14.29%). The study revealed some important factors contributing to low rate of exclusive breastfeeding also with the nutritional risk of nonexclusive breastfed child. Therefore, to improve children as well as mother’s health removing of constraints of exclusive breastfeeding by organized program and activities need attention.