Factors Associated with Discontinuing Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers of Infants Aged 0-6 Months

Abstract

Introduction
Knowing breastfeeding is one of the easiest and cost-effective ways to maintain a good child
health, majority infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months of age.
Thus, the aim of the study was to find out the factors associated with discontinuing exclusive
breastfeeding (EBF) among mothers of infants’ aged 0-6 months.

Methods
A analytical study design was used to find out the factors associated with discontinuing EBF
among mothers of infants’ aged 0-6 months in Nepal. A total of 380 mothers of infants whose
child were 0-6 months old were selected using non-probability purposive sampling technique
through online survey as people are advised to stay at home during the Covid-19 outbreak. Data
was collected using structured questionnaire with interview technique.

Results
Study findings revealed that half (50.5%) of the mothers exclusive breastfed their infants with
mother’s mean age being 27.39 ± 3.64 years. Discontinuation of EBF varied with mothers age,
ethnicity, mother’s educational level, initiation of breastfeeding and sources of information
regarding EBF as newspaper/articles and relatives/friends/neighbors (p=<0.005). The factors
related to mother that are associated with discontinuation of EBF were found to be perceived
insufficient milk, cesarean section delivery, jobholder mother (p= <0.001) respectively.

Conclusions
Only half of respondents exclusively breastfed their infants for the recommended age in which
only factors related to mother were significant with discontinuation of EBF rather than infants’.
Findings of the study emphasizes on counselling the mothers regarding the benefits of EBF to
both child and mother during hospital visits.

Keywords: exclusive breastfeeding; factors; under 6 months; EBF.