Challenges of Nursing Mother’s towards Exclusive Breastfeeding in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is one of the most effective interventions for ensuring optimal infant nutrition, growth, immunity, and survival during the first six months of life. Despite the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the practice of exclusive breastfeeding remains suboptimal in many parts of Nigeria because of numerous socio-economic, cultural, health-related, and institutional barriers. Aim: This study examined the challenges faced by nursing mothers in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area, Abia State. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A structured questionnaire was administered to 384 nursing mothers selected from Ugwunagbo Local Government Area, Abia State. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, four-point Likert-scale analysis, and probit regression analysis to identify the socio-economic determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practices. Statistical significance was determined at the appropriate probability levels. Results: The findings revealed that 70.6% of the respondents practised exclusive breastfeeding, whereas 29.4% combined breastfeeding with infant formula feeding. More than half of the respondents (55.5%) identified mother-baby bonding as the primary benefit of exclusive breastfeeding, while 30.5% recognised its role in providing essential nutrients. Approximately 75.5% breastfed their infants four to six times daily. Most respondents (92.7%) had received breastfeeding education from healthcare providers, with 53.4% intending to breastfeed exclusively for 3–6 months and 36.7% planning to continue for 6–12 months. Personal barriers included sore nipples (53.1%) and difficulty balancing employment with breastfeeding (26.6%). Regarding the breastfeeding environment, 57.3% of mothers reported being comfortable breastfeeding anywhere. Educational challenges included inadequate breastfeeding support (13.8%) and conflicting breastfeeding advice (10.4%), while 79.4% reported family- or home-related pressures as a major obstacle. Cultural assessment using four-point scale analysis showed that societal attitudes (mean = 3.43) and cultural or social factors (mean = 3.45) strongly influenced breastfeeding experiences, whereas family support recorded a mean score of 2.46, indicating relatively low perceived support. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area was relatively high, mothers continued to experience substantial socio-economic, cultural, health-related, and institutional barriers that may hinder sustained breastfeeding practices. Strengthening breastfeeding education, improving workplace policies that support nursing mothers, promoting family and community support, and implementing culturally sensitive community-based interventions are important for enhancing exclusive breastfeeding practices and improving maternal and child health     outcomes.