Document Type
Original Article
Abstract
Background: On a global scale, it is widely advocated that all women who experience childbirth should engage in breastfeeding (BF).
Aim and objectives: To elucidate the babies' feeding patterns seen during the first six months of life, as well as to identify the factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding over the entire duration of the First six months of life.
Patients and methods: Cross-sectional exploratory Study was conducted at the general outpatient clinics of Cairo University Children Hospital (Abo-Elrich hospital) on a sample of 415 mothers in the period between 12th of December 2011 to 10thof April 2012. Their babies were categorized into five groups to show feeding practices before 6-months of age.
Results: Only (12.8%) of babies were exclusively BF for six months, and the majority of babies (87.2%) received complementary feeds before the age of six months due to different causes. The main sources of nutritional advice for mothers were pediatricians (50.8%), grandmothers (31.1%) and obstetricians (18.1%).
Conclusion: Although the initiation rates of breastfeeding (BF) are high, the rates of exclusive BF for a duration of 6 months are low, and the total duration of BF is very short. In order to enhance the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding, it is imperative to establish robust social and medical support networks.
Keywords
Infant feeding practices; First six months of life; Exclusive breastfeeding
Subject Area
Pediatrics & its Subspecialty.
How to Cite This Article
Abd El Moniem, Ali Mostafa; Lotfy, Wael Nabil; Ahmed, Rehab Abdelhai; and Elfeky, Ameer Saad Aboulfotouh
(2024)
"Infant Feeding Practices Among Mothers During the First Six Months of Life,"
Al-Azhar International Medical Journal: Vol. 5:
Iss.
8, Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58675/2682-339X.2586
