Attitude Of Working Mothers Towards Exclusive Breast Feeding
[A Case Study of GENERAL HOSPITAL UGHELLI]

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to investigate types of knowledge regarding exclusive breastfeeding; to explore their attitudes towards and identify the possible challenges they experienced during exclusive breastfeeding period.

1.4 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study was to provide knowledge for nurses and professional teams to comprehend the reasons behind early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding by new mothers, hence revising a new most competent course to boost exclusivity of breastfeeding amongst mothers. At the end of the study, student involve shall be able to highlight the importance and impact of exclusive breastfeeding. 

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is important in that it helps in changing the attitude and knowledge working  mothers regarding exclusive breastfeeding, to explore types of attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding and to identify the possible challenges experienced during exclusive breastfeeding period.

1.6 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Despite the advantages of excluding breastfeeding such as:  it helps to space children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, increases family and national resources, is a secure way of feeding and is safe for the environment. However, some women do not still believe in the practice, according to them it exposes them to stress more especially working mothers. 

1.7 PROBLEM STATEMENT

In Nigeria, breastfeeding is universal with almost all babies being breastfed but the practice of EBF is rare with only 17% of children younger than six months being exclusively breastfed [Chudasama et al, 2019]. This has led to an increased incidence of morbidity from infectious diseases, including otitis media, gastroenteritis, and pneumonia, as well as elevated risks of childhood obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, leukemia and sudden infant death syndrome [Chudasama et al, 2019]. The benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for both mother and child are universally acknowledged by health providers, global health agencies and lay people [Chudasama et al, 2019].

Many attempts to promote EBF have achieved less than the desired outcomes and in order to comprehend the dynamics of this practice, a number of studies have been conducted in Nigeria and in many parts of the world. Much of these studies have focused on knowledge and attitude of EBF, health outcomes of exclusive and nonexclusive breastfeeding and prospective positions of husbands in breastfeeding decisions. Much less attempts however, have been made at examining the factors affecting the practice of EBF among nursing mothers. This research therefore seeks to assess altitude of  working mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding.

1.8 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Although exclusive breastfeeding is an important behavior that has seen identified as related to improved health of mothers, infants and children as well as lower health care cost. Exclusive breastfeeding based on available evidence, achievements of these goals are still far from the desired progress. Exclusive breastfeeding practices including initiation and duration are influenced by multiple inter woven factors which include health, psychosocial, cultural, political and economic factors. Among these fetors, decision regarding exclusive breastfeeding in low-income countries are influenced by education, employment  place of delivery, family pressure, cultural values, and spouse support within the home.

This study was adopted qualitative methodology of literature review, where previous studies data was considered from the theoretical background and analysis was drawn according to the researchers’ quest.

1.9 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The research questions included:

1. What kind of knowledge the study had concerning exclusive breastfeeding?

2. What were the attitudes of the study towards exclusive breastfeeding?

3. What were the possible challenges experience during exclusive breastfeeding period?

1.10 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Terms related and constantly used in this work are defined as follows:

Alveoli: Glandular tubes that appear in bundles and secrete breast milk into milk ducts.

Areola: The dark circle that surrounds the nipple.

Colostrum: Thick, sticky, yellowy “pre-milk” that is full of protein, vitamins and antibodies to sustain a newborn for her first few days of life.

Breast Pump: A device that manually or electrically helps new moms express breast milk into bottles or bags. The pump is connected to the mother’s breast with breast shields called flanges. Many moms pump to stimulate milk production or to have milk to serve their babies when they are separated.

Breastfeeding Positions: There are various ways to hold a baby while nursing known as breastfeeding positions. Some common breastfeeding positions include cradle, cross-cradle, football hold, side-lying and dangle.

Cluster Feeding: Frequent feedings within a short amount of time. Cluster feedings are often helpful at night to satiate a baby and help her sleep longer.

Engorgement: Fullness of the breasts with breast milk marked by hardened breasts, swelling, and sometimes pain. Engorgement can lead to plugged ducts and mastitis. Expressing breast milk through nursing or pumping is the best way to relieve engorgement.

Exclusive Breastfeeding: Feeding a baby only breast milk, which is advised by the American Academy of Pediatrics for at least the first six months of a baby’s life. Continued breastfeeding is recommended for one year and beyond as well.

Flat Nipple: A nipple that lays flush against the breast even when stimulated.

Fore-milk: The early milk during a feeding that contains more sugary lactose and less fat.

Hind-milk: As a feeding progresses and breasts become emptier more fat is released into the breast milk. This is known as hind-milk.

Inverted Nipple: A nipple that retracts inward towards the breast even when stimulated.

Lactation: Another word for breastfeeding.

Lactation Consultant: A trained specialist who supports new moms as they learn to breastfeed and navigate breastfeeding issues.

Lactose: A sugar found in breast milk and other dairy products.

Latch: The connection between your baby’s mouth and your areola. A good latch includes a wide mouth position over as much of the areola has possible, a cupped tongue and protruding lips that sit on top of the breast.

Let-Down: Also known as Milk Ejection Reflex (MER), this reflex stimulates the flow of milk from milk ducts out through the breasts. Let-downs are often undetectable by moms but occur within a few minutes after nursing begins.

Mastitis: An infection of the breast either from a plugged milk duct or bacteria that enters through the nipple. Mastitis can cause breasts to feel hard, sore and painful.

Milk Ducts: Channels that carry breast milk from the tissues where it is secreted (called alveoli) to the nipples.

Milk Supply: This refers to the availability of breast milk, which is based on a supply and demand stimulus. The more the breast is stimulated and then emptied, the more milk will be produced.

Montgomery glands: Bumps on the areola that secrete anti-microbial oil that lubricate and protect the nipples. It is possible that the secretion from Montgomery glands smell like a mother’s amniotic fluid and help newborns find their mother’s nipples for feeding.

Nipple Confusion: The idea that babies may have a hard time transitioning between breasts, artificial nipples (such as bottle nipples) and pacifiers.

Nursing Bra: A specially-designed bra that allows easy access to breasts to simplify nursing. Nursing bras may have nursing clasps with drop-down cups, slide-over cups or front-closures.

Plugged Ducts: A blockage in a milk duct that can lead to an infection known as mastitis. To help ease a plugged duct, use a warm compress and massage the area.

Rooting: A baby’s act of feeling around for her mother’s breast by turning her head and opening and closing her mouth (as if she’s looking for the nipple). Rooting is a sign of your baby’s hunger and often occurs when a baby smells breast milk.