Factors affecting exclusive breast feeding of infants in port Fouad city

Abstract EN

Background : exclusive breastfeeding during the early months of life reduces infant morbidity and mortality, world health organization (who) defines exclusive breastfeeding as, feeding an in-fant only with breast milk, excluding solids or any other fluids (including infant formulas) except medicines, vitamins, and minerals, who recommended infants to be exclusively breastfed during first 6 months of life aim : to improve maternal and child health by encouraging exclusive breast-feeding till six months.

subjects and methods : the present study was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study that included 670 mothers of infants who came to primary health care centers (el Herafien and el Amal) for vaccination.

to determine the factors affecting exclusive breast feeding of infant till six months.

results : this study showed that 10.3% of mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, 9.7% practice artificial feeding, and most of the mothers 80% practice mixed feeding.

33.9% initiated BF early within the first hour and two-thirds initiated it after the first hour of delivery and there was a strong relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and early initiation of breastfeeding (OR = 5.8).

conclusion : from the previous results, Egypt is one of the developing countries in which we need to support correct feeding practices.

exclusive breastfeeding is a safe, economical, and emotionally satisfying means of feeding babies.