Breastfeeding Awareness and Practice among


Authors : Snehal Rohitbhai Vegda; Dharti Bharat Kumar Chauhan; Margi Nimish Kumar Rana

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 3 - March

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/583m6d6w

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25mar1208

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Abstract : Background: Breastfeeding, recognized by healthcare professionals as the optimal feeding method for infants, plays a crucial role in promoting overall health. It provides essential nutrients, strengthens the mother-child bond, and supports healthy growth and development. Despite its known significance, breastfeeding practices remain inconsistent. Objective: The goal is to evaluate what mothers know, how they feel and what they do when it comes to breastfeeding. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in Ahmedabad over six months, surveying 312 mothers using a awareness, and Practice questionnaire. Results: The findings revealed that while most mothers recognized the benefits of breastfeeding and understood the importance of starting early, their awareness about introducing complementary foods and continuing breastfeeding until the child turns two was relatively limited. Awareness of exclusive breastfeeding remained low. Regarding attitudes, some mothers had positive perceptions, but a significant portion believed breastfeeding should stop during diarrhea episodes. In terms of practices, many mothers breastfed at regular intervals, used kangaroo mother care, and provided breast milk as the first nutrient. Conclusion: Despite adequate awareness and positive attitudes, breastfeeding practices remain suboptimal. Educational campaigns should focus on promoting optimal breastfeeding behaviors. Strengthening healthcare counseling and tailored educational programs can help bridge the knowledge gap. Socioeconomic factors, particularly income and education, play a crucial role in child health. Policymakers should prioritize exclusive breastfeeding, provide support for mothers, and create enabling environments for better breastfeeding practices.

Keywords : Knowledge,Attitude, Practice, Breastfeeding, Mother.

References :

    1. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Infant and young child feeding. World Health Organization. Retrieved March 19, 2025,from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
  2. 2.UNICEF.(n.d.).Breastfeeding.UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/topics/breastfeeding
  3. 3.Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A. J. D., França, G. V. A., Horton, S., Krasevec, J., Murch, S., Sankar, M. J., Walker, N., & Rollins, N. C. (WHO 2016). Breastfeeding in the 21st century: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet, 387(10017), 475–490. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7
  4. 4. UNICEF. (2015). From the first hour of life: Making the case for improved infant and young child feeding everywhere. United Nations Children’s Fund. https://www.unicef.org/media/49801/file/From-the-first-hour-of-life-ENG.pdf
  5. Boateng, M. F. (2018). Knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Techiman, Ghana (Master’s thesis, University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Health Sciences). Retrieved from https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uef-20180869
  6. 6. Shitu, S., Adane, D., Abebe, H., Mose, A., Yeshaneh, A., Beyene, B., & Workye, H. (2021). Knowledge of breastfeeding practice and associated factors among fathers whose wife delivered in last one year in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia. PloS one, 16(7), e0254824. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254824    7. Krishnendu M, Devaki G. Knowledge, Attitude and  Practice Towards Breastfeeding Among Lactating Mothers in Rural Areas of Thrissur District of Kerala, India: A Cross-Sectional Study. Biomed Pharmacol J 2017;10(2).https://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bpj/1156
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  8. Al Ketbi, M.I., Al Noman, S., Al Ali, A. et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of breastfeeding among women visiting primary healthcare clinics on the island of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Int Breastfeed J 13, 26 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-018-0165-x
  9. Temoirokomalani M. D, Singh P, Khan S. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Breastfeeding Among Mothers of Children Under 6 Months of Age in Suva, Fiji. Curr Res Nutr FoodSci 2021;9(3)doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CRNFSJ.9.3.27
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  11. Tadele, N., Habta, F., Akmel, D. et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice towards exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in Mizan Aman town, Southwestern Ethiopia: descriptive cross-sectional study. Int Breastfeed J 11, 3 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-016-0062-0
  12. Dukuzumuremyi, J.P.C., Acheampong, K., Abesig, J. et al. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in East Africa: a systematic review. Int Breastfeed J 15, 70 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00313-9
  13. Uusimäki, K., Schneider, L., Lubeka, C., Kimiwye, J., & Mutanen, M. (2023). Mothers' knowledge and practices on breastfeeding and complementary feeding in an urban slum area and rural area in Kenya: A cross-sectional interview study. Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and community, 27(4), 612–627. https://doi.org/10.1177/13674935221083451
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Background: Breastfeeding, recognized by healthcare professionals as the optimal feeding method for infants, plays a crucial role in promoting overall health. It provides essential nutrients, strengthens the mother-child bond, and supports healthy growth and development. Despite its known significance, breastfeeding practices remain inconsistent. Objective: The goal is to evaluate what mothers know, how they feel and what they do when it comes to breastfeeding. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in Ahmedabad over six months, surveying 312 mothers using a awareness, and Practice questionnaire. Results: The findings revealed that while most mothers recognized the benefits of breastfeeding and understood the importance of starting early, their awareness about introducing complementary foods and continuing breastfeeding until the child turns two was relatively limited. Awareness of exclusive breastfeeding remained low. Regarding attitudes, some mothers had positive perceptions, but a significant portion believed breastfeeding should stop during diarrhea episodes. In terms of practices, many mothers breastfed at regular intervals, used kangaroo mother care, and provided breast milk as the first nutrient. Conclusion: Despite adequate awareness and positive attitudes, breastfeeding practices remain suboptimal. Educational campaigns should focus on promoting optimal breastfeeding behaviors. Strengthening healthcare counseling and tailored educational programs can help bridge the knowledge gap. Socioeconomic factors, particularly income and education, play a crucial role in child health. Policymakers should prioritize exclusive breastfeeding, provide support for mothers, and create enabling environments for better breastfeeding practices.

Keywords : Knowledge,Attitude, Practice, Breastfeeding, Mother.

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