Knowledge, attitude and practice of expressed breast milk feeding among working mothers of infants aged 0-6 months attending maternal child health clinic at upper Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala District.

Abstract

Background: Breast feeding has several benefits for the mother and infant. Successful breastfeeding is the first approach towards good health of the infant. But there are many challenges for it, like breast related complication or poor working environment having knowledge and attitude towards expressed breast milk would be the best approach towards promoting good practice of expression of breast milk.

Objective: To assess the knowledge regarding expressed breast milk, attitude among working mothers to wards breast feeding and evaluate practices regarding breast feeding among working mothers of infants aged 0-6months.

Methodology: A cross – sectional questionnaire based study was carried out on 101 mothers attending Mulago referral Hospital in Kampala capital city during the month of October 2016.

Results: The study has shown that working mother use different methods of breast milk expression which ranges from hands to pump. A total of one hundred one (101) respondents were enrolled in the study and majority 34(34%) of the respondents were aged 22-25years. Expressed breast milk knowledge, 71(71%) working mothers were aware that infant formula-feeds are not more convenient than expressed breast milk, only 20(20%) didn’t know that the benefits of expressed breast milk feeding are only limited for a specific period. On attitude of participants on expression of breast milk, 47(47%) strongly agreed that community discourages expressed breast milk feeding over infant formula feeds and food. For practices of mothers on expression of breast milk; 57(56%) of participants knew that expressed breast milk should be warmed before given to the baby, 10(10%) of participants express breast milk while away to work place, of expressed breast milk among mothers, 5(5%) of expressed milk was kept in the fridge

Conclusion: 20%participants didn’t know that the benefits of expressed breast milk feeding is only limited for a specific period and 47% participants strongly agreed that community discourages expressed breast milk feeding over feeding infant formula. Lack of exclusive breast feeding was reported in the Majority of participants 54%, 73% of participants start introducing extra foods and drinks as early as 4-5 months against WHO recommendation of six months.

Recommendations: Expressed Breast milk should be promoted to provide its full benefits to both the mother and infant. Breast pump should be provided to all working mothers or mothers with breast complications during antenatal visit. There should be provision for breast feeding mothers in all organisations to allow the baby to get full usefulness of the breast milk and increase bond between the mother and baby.