Practice Of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Mothers In Maternal And Child Health Clinic Barracks Road Uyo
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Exclusive breastfeeding is the feeding of a baby with nothing but breast milk for the first 6 months of life (Adams 2008). According to Okoli (2009), exclusive breastfeeding is the method of feeding that permits only breast milk is available to the infant at no cast at all and is safe and hygienic. Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants.
Breastfeeding promote sensory and congnitive development and protects the infants against infections and chronic disease. Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant mortality and helps to quicker recovery during Illness (2007).
Practice is an activity to improve skills we do not have any choice but to breast feed our young ones as nature has provided us no alternative some years ago. It was common for more than one woman to breastfeed a baby at the royal families (Daires 2008). A baby gets its first immunization from breast milk (colostrum) that is the relatively clear fluid secreted in the breast during the frits 3 days after partuntion, before the royal formation of the time milk is established. The colostrums acts as a laxative and help the baby to pass out me conium easily colostrums and time milks contain antibodies and white blood cells, which protect the baby from bacterial and viral infections. It promotes the development of brain cell. Breast milks is dehvered at the correct temperature and is always available for the baby on demand.
Kuti, (2011) defines exclusive breast feeding as the as the act of feeding the newborn with no other food or drink not even water but breast milk from half hour of birth to six months of life. Thereafter, the baby would be given in addition to breast milk adequate complementary feed till two years of age or beyond.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nation International children’s Fund (UNICEF) recommended exclusive breastfeeding together with adequate complementary feeds up to 2 years of age and beyond. Exclusive breastfeeding is beneficial to the baby mothers, family and the government.
The movement of Baby Friendly Hospital intetive (BEHI) lanched her breast feeding policy in March 1995 with the support of WHO and UNCEF. This team declared every first week of August (1-7) as the World’s breastfeeding week, to promote the practice of exclusive breast feeding.
United State Agency for International Development Authority declared that “as a global goal for optional internal and child health and nutrition, all women should be enable to practice exclusive breastfeeding and all infants should be fed exclusively with breast milk from birth to 4-6 months of age.
Exclusive breastfeed infant on demand, from 6-14 days newborn consume 30 -90mls per feed. After the age of four weeks, babies consume about 12omls per feed. Each baby is different, but as he/she grows. This increases. It is important to recognize the baby’s hunger signs. The supply of milk from the breast is determined by the member and length of these food or the amount of milk expressed. The weight explain affect the baby’s feeding habits and the mother may be influenced by what they perceived it requirement to be.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Many mothers have refuse to breastfeed their children exclusively especially mothers attaining child welfare clinic at Maternal and Child Health Clinic, Barrack’s Road, Uyo. However, despite effort by (WHO, 2009) Ministry of Health and National and International Organization, by giving health enlightenment inform of health talks, seminar, for the purpose of having knowledge, positive attitude and practicing exclusive breastfeeding in order to reduce infant mortality and morbidity rate. Yet, population death rate, obesity, malnourished children, low immune system, and infection etc is observed to be increasing at an alarming rate in our society including Maternal and Child Health Clinic, Barrack’s Road, Uyo. During the researcher’s clinical experience in Maternal and child Health clinic e at Barrack’s Road, Uyo. It was observed that mothers did not breast feed their children, also some mother fed their babies with water and diluted animal milk. This prompted the researcher to in investigate on the level of practice of exclusive breast feeding. The factors that influence the practice of exclusive breast feeding and the benefit of exclusive breast feeding among mother in maternal and child Health clinic Barrack’s Road, Uyo.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The study will assess the level of practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Maternal and Child Health Clinic at Barracks’ Road, Uyo.
1.4 Objectives of the Study
To determine the level of practice of exclusive breast feeding among mothers in Maternal and Child Health clinic, Barrack’s Road Uyo.
To determine the factors that influences the practice of exclusive breast feeding among mothers in Maternal and Child Health Clinic Barracks’ Road Uyo.
To identify the benefit of exclusive breast feeding to mothers and children in Maternal Child Health clinic Barracks’ Road Uyo.
1.5 Research Questions
What is the level of practice of exclusive breast feeding among mothers in Maternal and Child Health Clinic Barracks’ Road, Uyo?
What are the factors that influence the practice of exclusive breast feeding among mothers in Maternal l and Child Health Clinic at Barracks Road, Uyo?
What are the benefits of exclusive breast feeding to the mother and baby in Maternal and Child Health Clinic Barracks Road, Uyo?
1.6 Scope of the Study
The study will be limited to the level of practice of exclusive breast feeding among mothers, the factors that influence the practice of exclusive breast feeding and the benefits of exclusive breast feeding to the mothers and baby, Maternal and Child Health Clinic Barracks Road, Uyo.
1.7 Significance of the Study
The study will promote good health among mothers and children mothers will have adequate reasons to practice exclusive breast feeding the negative altitude of mothers toward exclusive breast feeding will change. It will help to eradicate the misconception of mothers towards exclusive breast feeding. It will help to reduce infant morbidity and mortality rate and it will also serve as a reference material for further research study.
1.8 Limitations
The study was limited to hoarding of information by the respondent. As such the researcher assured them of confidentiality by instructing them not to write their names.
1.9 Operational Definition of Terms
Exclusive Breast Feeding: Feeding of an infant with breast milk alone for 6 months of life without any water, food except vitamin, mineral and drugs.
Practice: The action or process of performing or doing a particular thing regularly. In this case, making breast feeding of an infant regular process.
Mother: A female parent of an infant/child who can breast feed her baby.
Maternal and Child Health Clinic: A place with approved facilities and personnel that deals with the health of the mothers and child. It’s a branch of primary health care.
EBF: Exclusive Breast Feeding
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