The study was on the investigation into whether the nursing mothers understand the difference between exclusive breastfeeding and ordinary breastfeeding in term of its benefits in Isolo Community. A study design was used for the research work, questionnaire and oral interview were used to collect data, having the nursing mothers as the target population. One hundred and twenty structured questionnaires were administered and one hundred and fifteen (115) questionnaires were retrieved for analysis; out of which ten (10) non - literate respondents were orally interviewed. The work revealed that only 83% of the respondents knew the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding over the ordinary breastfeeding while 17% of them do not know. As this shows that majority of the respondents are aware of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. But despite their knowledge, some still believed cow's milk (formula) is good for their infants under 6 months of age. Recommendations were made to various stakeholders; the government should pay the remuneration of the health workers so as to motivate them to discharge their duties effectively. The health workers should always carry out counselling and health education to both the intending and nursing mothers on exclusive breastfeeding in a clear and understandable manner at every antenatal and postnatal clinics. The nursing mothers should see exclusive breastfeeding as one of the major responsibilities of motherhood for their infants in order to reduce mortality and morbidity rate.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential to ensure the growth, health and development of children to their full potential (World Health Organization [WHO], 2009).
According to the definition of World Health Organization (WHO), Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) is the situation in which an infant receives only breast milk from his/her mother or a wet nurse for the first 6 months and no other solids or liquids with the exception of drops or syrups consisting of vitamins, minerals, supplements, or medicines (Elyas et al., 2017).
The breast milk contains the necessary nutrients that children need for healthy growth and development, protecting them from gastrointestinal (Kramer & Kakuma, 2012) and respiratory infections, obesity, risk of allergies, endocrine diseases, and promotes mental health and psychomotor development (Ciampo & Ciampo, 2018). Breastfeeding an infant exclusively for the first 6 months of life carries numerous benefits to the child as well as also to the mother as it has been recognized worldwide, as breast milk is also considered the best source of nutrition for an infant (Ku and Chow, 2010).
Globally, about 40% of infants were exclusively breastfed and this is expected to rise to 50% by 2025. Although the rates of EBF for the past two decades have been increasing, it is still a long road to achieve the 100% global target coverage recommended by UNICEF. This is evident in the current low prevalence of EBF in the developing world particularly in West and Central Africa which happen to have one of the highest rates of infant malnutrition in the world (Cai, Wardlaw & Brown 2012).
Despite the WHO recommendations and benefits of EBF worldwide, only 39% of newborns were put to the breast within 1hour of birth, and only 37% of the infants were exclusively breastfed (Hazir et al., 2013).
Exclusive breastfeeding was challenged by a lack of knowledge and different socio-cultural beliefs; the incorrect beliefs that breastfeeding mothers are unable to produce enough milk to exclusively breastfeed their children for the first 6 months of life and that society believes that breastfeeding mothers look other than their age. The other barriers include societal or peer pressure to bottle feed their child. Moreover, studies have shown that many mothers find it difficult to meet personal goals and to adhere to the expert recommendations for continued and exclusive breastfeeding despite increased rate of initiation (Whalen & Cramton, 2010).
Some of the major factors that affect exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding include breast problems such as sore nipples or mother's perceptions of producing inadequate milk (Thurman and ALLEN 2008) and societal barriers such as employment, length of maternity leave, inadequate breastfeeding knowledge, lack of familial and societal support and lack of guidance and encouragement from health care professionals.
A recent national survey suggested that only 29% of infants less than six months were exclusively breastfed in Nigeria (NPC [Nigeria] and ICF, author, 2019). There is no data on the average duration of exclusive breastfeeding in Southwest Nigeria; however, over 70% of women in Southwest Nigeria breastfeed their infants for up to a year (Agunbiade & Ogunleye, 2012).
Statement of the study
Despite the numerous benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, some nursing mothers still prefer feeding their 0-6 month infants with other feeding which usually have effects on the health of the infants. Meanwhile, it is comprehensively cleared that exclusive breastfeeding has a great impact on the present and future health of infant.
Objectives of the study.
To find out whether the nursing mothers understand the difference between exclusive breastfeeding and ordinary breastfeeding.
To encourage the nursing mothers why they should not add anything to exclusive breastfeeding.
To encourage the nursing mothers on need to adhere to the administration of exclusive breastfeeding because of its benefits.
Significance of the study
The study is to ascertain the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding on the health of 0-6 months infants.
The study will also help to identify those barriers that usually make some nursing mothers not to exclusively breastfeed their infants.
The misconceptions or ideas of nursing mothers toward exclusive breastfeeding will be demystified hence, promote adherence and their knowledge toward exclusive breastfeeding through health education by the health professionals.
ASSUMPTIONS
It is assumed that only breast milk cannot be enough to satisfy an infant.
It is also assumed that children that are exclusively breastfed do have low weight compare to children that are not exclusive breastfed.
Some women assumed that exclusively breastfeeding of infant is not that important but a waste of time.
Some women even believed that given exclusive breastfeeding to their infants cause the mother's breast to sag and also make the mothers to look older than their age.
Definition of Terms
Infancy: The earliest period of childhood.
Breastfeeding: The process of feeding a baby or young child milk from the breast of a lactating woman.
Exclusive breastfeeding: This simply means feeding infants only with breast milk for the first 6 months of life.
Breast milk: A liquid source of food made by a mother's breast.
Wet nurse: A woman hired to breastfeed and care for another woman's child.
Vitamins: Substances that our bodies need to develop and function normally.
Supplements: Something added, especially to make up for a deficiency.
Nutrients: Substances used by an organism to survive, grow and reproduce.
Medicine: A drug or other preparation for the treatment or prevention of disease.
Respiratory infections: Also known as Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) are infections of parts of the body involved in breathing, such as throat, airways or lungs.
Obesity: The state of being obese (overweight) due to an excess of body fat.
Allergies: Condition in which the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance.
Psychomotor: It is relating to the origination of movement in conscious mental activity.
Malnutrition: A lack of adequate nourishment
UNICEF: United Nations Children's Fund
WHO: World Health Organization
Demystify: Clarify something through explanation
Misconception: A view or opinion that is incorrect because it based on faculty thinking or understanding.
Sag: To lose firmness and cause to bend.
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