Breastfeeding practices in mothers: a qualitative study
Abstract
Background Despite the WHO and UNICEF recorrunendations, the well-known breastfeeding benefits, and the efforts to promote and support breastfeeding; exclusive breastfeeding by Indonesian mothers remains low and contributes to high infant mortality rates.
Objective To elucidate the fac tors that influence mothers' choices for infant feeding
Methods This qualitative study was conducted as part of a nationwide survey. The study included 36 in-depth interviews of mothers with infants aged 0-11 months, and health care professionals, including general practitioners, pediatricians, and midwives. This study was performed between 0 cto ber - November 2 0 l 0 in both rural and urban areas of 4 provinces in Indon esia.
Results We found that most mothers intended to breastfeed and had positive perceptions of breastfeeding. However, mothers faced many challenges in the practice of exclusive and proper breastfeeding. Additionally, the perceived definition of exclusive breastfeeding varied among the participants, leadingÂ
to n on-exclusive breastfeeding attitudes. The most frequent reasons for mothers to introduce additional milk formula or food were the perception of an inadequate milk supply, infant dissatisfaction or fu ssiness after feeding. Different perceptions were also demonstrated in different regions and the varying levels of socioeconomic status. Health care practitioners (HCPs) were the most reliable source for giving adequate information, but unfortunately, they were not easily accessible and provided inconsistent information. Consequently, closely-related family members were the major contributors of information to a mother's
choice of infant feeding; because they were easily accessible.
Conclusion Factors influencing mothers in their breastfeeding practices are their basic knowledge, demographic and socioeconomic status, as well as the availability of support from closelyrelated
family members, friends, and HCPs.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Breastfeeding. Breast feeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics. 20 12; 129:827 -41.
World Health Organization. Global Strategy for infant and young child feeding. Geneva: 2003; [cited 2012 July 20]; [about 37 screens]. Available from: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publication/2003/9241566218.pdf.
Kramer MS, Kakuma R. The optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding: A syst ematic review. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2004;554:63-77.
Pusat Data dan Informasi Departemen Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. Peta Kesehatan Indonesia 2007. Jakarta: 2008; [cited2012July 30]; [about64 screens]. Available from: http://www.depkes.go.id/downloads/publikasi/Peta%20Kesehatan%202007.pdf.
Ministry of National Development Planning, National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS) . Report on the achievement of MDG Indonesia 2007. Jakarta: 2007; [cited 2012 July 30]; [about 168 screens]. Available from: http://www.undp.or.id/pubs/docs/MDG%20Report"/o202007.pdf.
Fjeld E, Siziya S, Katepa-Bwalya M, Kankasa C, Moland KM, Ty lleskar T, et al. 'No sister, the breast alone is not enough for my baby' a qualitative assessment of potentials and barriers in the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding in southern Zambia. Int Breastfeed J. 2008;3:26-3 7.
Agunbiade OM, Ogunleye OV. Con straints to exclusive breastfeeding practice among breastfeeding mothers in Southwest Nigeria: Implications for scaling up. Int Breastfeed J 2012;7:5-14.
Kimani-Murage EW, Madise NJ, Fotso JC, Kyobutungi CK, Mutua MK, Gitau TM, et al. Patterns and determinants of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in urban informal settlements, Nairobi, Kenya. BMC Pub Health. 2001; 11:396-406.
Li R, Fein SB, Chen J, Grummer-Strawn LM. Why mothers stop breastfeeding: mothers' self-reported reasons for stopping during the first year. Pediatrics. 2008; 122:S69-76.
Peters E, Wehkamp KH, Felderbaum RE, Kruger D, Linder R. Breastfeeding duration is determined by only a few factors. Eur J Pub Health. 2005;16:1 62-7.
Williams PL , Innis SM, Vogel AM, Stephen LJ. Factors influencing infant feeding practices of mothers in Vancouver. Can J Pub Health. 1999;90: 114-9 .
Ahluwalia IB, Morrow B, Hsia J. Why do women stop breastfeeding? Findings from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System. Pediatrics. 2005; 116: 1408-12.
Osman H, El Zein L, Wick L. Cultural beliefs that may discourage breas t feeding among Leban ese women : a qualitative analysis. Int Breastfeed J. 2009;4; 12-7 .
Olang B, Heldarzadeh A, Strandvik B, Yngve A Reason s given by mothers for discontinuing breastfeeding in Iran. Int Breastfeed ]. 20 12;7:7 -13.
Wasser H, Bentley M, Borja ], Davis Goldman B, T hompson A, Slining M, et al. Infants perceived as "fussy" are more likely to receive complementary foods before 4 months. Pediatrics. 20 11; 127:229-3 7.
Moussa Abba A, De Koninck M, Hamelin AM. A qualitative study of the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding by health professionals in Niamey, Niger. Int Breas tfeed J. 20 10;5:814.
Backstrom CA, Wahn EI, Ekstrom AC. Two sides of breastfeeding support: experiences of women and midwives. Int Breastfeeding J. 2010;5:20-7.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Accepted 2016-08-16
Published 2014-02-28
