Factors Influencing the Practices of Exclusive Breastfeeding in a Hospital Setting.

Background: Breast milk is a most precious natural gift for a newborn and continues to be the optimal form of diet after birth. The practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is still poor in Bangladesh despite the associated benefits. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was done to determine the factors influencing the practice of EBF among the 107 lactating mothers in a hospital setting. Results: More than half of the hospital admitted children (56.1%) were in ≤6 months and two-thirds (65.4%) were 1st children of their parents. 44.9% of mothers and 29.0% of fathers of children had no formal education. One-third of the mothers attending breast feeding counseling programs (34.6%), and also get support and care during their lactation period(33.6%). Two-fifths of mothers (40.2%) had sound knowledge about EBF duration and less than one-third (29.9%) were fed EBF expediently.EBF practices among the mothers are statistically significant association with received counseling on breastfeeding, proper attachment during breastfeeding, pre-lacteal foods given after delivery, type of complementary foods, appliances used for complementary feeding, and support and care during the lactation period (p<0.05). The association of knowledge about EBF duration is also statistically significant with counseling on breastfeeding (p<0.05). Conclusion: Lactating mothers have to face various challenges, as they are trying to practice EBF for the first 6 months of a newborn. It’s indeed scaling up EBF practices that require intensive efforts at all levels including family and community levels.