Patterns and Barriers of Breast Feeding among Lactating Females in Kafr Esam Rural Health Unit

Background: Breastfeeding is considered as one of the major public health strategies for improving infant and child morbidity and mortality, as well as decreasing maternal morbidity because of the wide range of benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to the mother and infant. The aim of the work was to identify the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding, patterns and barriers of breastfeeding.

Methodology: A cross- sectional study was carried out on 400 lactating women from July 2019 up to Sep. 2020 at Kafr Esam Rural Health Unit in Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. Data were collected by a self-administrated questionnaire.

Results: The frequency of exclusively breastfeeding women was 44.75%, while 30.25% were mixed breastfeeding and formula and 25% were using formula only. The barriers of exclusive breastfeeding were: had low breast milk supply (20.25%), mothers work related (9.5%), infant illness (9.25%), mother illness (8%), sore and cracked nipples (7%), easier bottle feeding (6.5%), more than one problem (6.25%), mother on medication (4.75%), 4.5% had baby crying too much, 2.25% had breast infection, 2.25% didn’t like breastfeeding, 1.25% had pressure from family, 0.75% were fasting in Ramadan and no patient said that husband didn’t support breastfeeding.

Conclusions: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of infant’s life was accepted (44.75%) but needs more improvement and multiple barriers were present. Management of breastfeeding barriers and their problems. Encourage pregnant women for vaginal delivery. Initiate and support breastfeeding campaigns by mass media annually define a national day for breastfeeding. Further studies are needed.