Knowledge And Practice On Exclusive Breast Feeding Among The Mother Of Children Aged 0-6 Months In Jamalganj Upazila, Sunamganj, Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction: Breastfeeding is the feeding of babies and young children with its mother’s milk. Breast milk is the natural first food for babies. It is an unparalleled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of babies and young children. Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants.

Methods: The study population of the study were mothers having child aged 0-6 months residing in Jamalganj Upazila, Sunamganj. Total 380 participate included in our study. The sample population will be the mothers with child aged 0-6 months child. The study was conducted over a period of 4 months from November 2018 to February 2019.

Results: Total 384 participate included in our study. Among 28(7.3%) mother belongs to age group 15-19. From this we can say that there is still early marriage in the society and those are giving child birth before 20 years of age. Above 350(91.1%) mother knows about colostrum and 34(8.9%) mother do know about colostrum (n=384). It is a good phenomenon that most of the mother have proper idea about colostrum. Colostrum is said as the first immunization for the newborn. 334(87.0%) mother knows colostrum is good for health, 22(5.7%) mother knows colostrum is bad for health and 34(8.9%) mother don’t know about colostrum (n=384). Shows that 330(85.9%) have knowledge on how long breast milk should be given exclusively and 54(14.1%) of the mother responded negative (n=384). Among 280(72.9%) of the mother knows that the is no water is necessary before six months of age and 104(27.1%) of mother answered positive that water is needed before six months. 358(93.2%) of mother Breastfeed her child within 1 hour after birth while 25(6.8%) of mother didn’t Breastfeed her child within 1 hour after birth. 63(16.4%) of mother fed her child in every 4 hours, 249(64.8%) of mother fed her child in on demand and 21(5.5%) of mother had no fix time to feed her child (n=384). Majority of mother fed her child on demand. Definitely it is a good practice for the mother. Most of the mother get information regarding child feeding from Health Workers. It has positive impact both on maternal and child health.

Conclusions: Breast milk is rich in nutrients and anti-bodies and contains the right quantities of fat, sugar, water and protein. Supply of the proper resources should be uniform. Establishment of infrastructure for safe delivery will reduce maternal and child mortality.