A study of Knowledge, Attitude and Preactice of Mothers about Breast Feeding in Children

Abstract

Breast feeding is a universal phenomenon common to all cultures. In the last 2 decades, there is a universal awareness of advantages of breast milk. In the western world, there have been increased trends of breast feeding in recent years. On the other hand, there has been decline in the breast feeding in the developing countries. In order to identify the knowledge, attitude and practice about breast feeding in general community, a study was designed in paediatrics department, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Our survey instrument was a set of 10 questions related to critical ideas about breast feeding. A conclusive study was conducted after pre-testing and results showed that although majority of women knew general benefits of breast feeding and danger of bottle feeding, a number of beliefs were widely held and would tend to interfere with determination to promote colostrum feeding and exclusive breast feeding. Gender based behavior was also pre-dominant in the study. It is concluded that society should be made aware that breast feeding has not only of nutritional and health advantages but is also vital for infant mother relationship and healthy development of infant’s brain and other body parts.