Breastfeeding practices and infants nutritional status in isoko north/south local government areas of Delta state, Nigeria

Abstract

The study identified the breastfeeding practices of mothers and assessment of nutritional status of infants in Isoko North and South Local Government Areas in Delta State, Nigeria. The sample consisted of 300 mothers from various occupational groups. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. The data were analyzed by computing of the percentages of the responses to each item. Findings indicated that all the mothers breastfed their babies exclusively for the first two months. Few did so up to the 3rd month from the urban and rural setting. “Feeding on demand” an  “scheduled feeding” were practiced. Some mothers breastfed their babies up to 15 months. Some breastfed because they felt breastmilk makes baby to be healthy. It is economical.and rich. Breastfeeding saves time. Some mothers drank milk to increase their breastmilk output. Some drank palm wine. The main reason for stopping breastfeeding was that baby was old enough to eat weaning foods. Some mothers had painful nipples due to breastfeeding. The infants who were mainly breastfed had normal nutritional status. Most infants who were partly breastfed were malnourished. It was recommended among others that mothers should practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first 4th - 6th month of life before giving complementary food