Breastfeeding Practices During Neonatal Period in Benghazi

• Arwa Gargoum

  Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Libya

  Author

• Isaaida A. Elsaeiti

  Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Libya

  Author

• Nema Elhouni

  Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Libya

  Author

Breastfeeding is the safest and healthiest infant feeding method; exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of infant life is strongly advised. This study was conducted to assess infant feeding practice and maternal determinants of infant feeding during the first month of life. In a hospital-based cross-sectional survey at the neonatal unit and OPD of Benghazi Pediatric Hospital, mothers were selected by reason of infant age not exceeding 4 weeks. A sample of 306 mothers was collected, and the alarming results are that about (31.8%) of the mothers are either not breastfeeding their babies or practicing inappropriate early weaning (mixing). Moreover, inadequate milk production (25%) was reported as the most common cause of these practices. In addition, the role of the trustworthy education channel about breastfeeding is minimal, if not there, such as mother and child health care. Also, providers are the source of knowledge for only 2.38%. Operative delivery is associated with a marked delay in breastfeeding initiation (Pearson Chi-square =13.2, P=0.001), and older age group mothers are associated with a greater probability of operative delivery, hence it is an in-direct mediator of delayed breastfeeding initiation. These results reflect poor maternal knowledge and attitude about breastfeeding that ultimately resulted in poor practice and low rate of exclusive breastfeeding, in addition to the limited awareness of healthcare providers about the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding to encourage the mothers and guide them to breastfeed their babies immediately after birth.

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