Knowledge, practices and concerns regarding exclusive breastfeeding for six months among mothers of infants in a suburban setting in sri lanka

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge, practices and concerns on six months exclusive breastfeeding among mothers. Method: In a community based household survey in Kaduwela MOH area, 217 mothers with a baby aged <1 year were interviewed. Results: Of the mothers, 45% had >6 months old babies. All mothers knew the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Advantages of breastfeeding to the child were well known. Among those with ≤6 month old babies, current exclusive breastfeeding rate was 85%. Of those with >6 months old babies, 72% had exclusively breastfed them for 6 months. Mothers with ≤6 months old babies not being exclusively breast fed and the mothers with >6 months old babies not exclusively breastfed for 6 months, indicated that having to return to work (50%) and their opinions regarding amount of milk being inadequate (44%) and nutrients being inadequate (18%) as the reasons for not exclusively breast feeding up to the recommended age. Conclusions: Current breast feeding rate and proportions exclusively breast fed were high. Knowledge regarding the duration of breast feeding and other essential aspects was good.