Table 4.
Beliefs, attitudes, about breastfeeding and breastfeeding practices among mothers and health care workers
| Knowledge about breastfeeding* | True (%) | False (%) | Don’t know (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mothers |
|
|
|
|
A woman who is exclusively breastfeeding is less likely to become pregnant three months after delivery than a woman who is formula feeding |
39 (60) |
9 (14) |
17 (26) |
|
Supplemental feeding is detrimental to the establishment of a good milk supply |
36 (55) |
13 (20) |
17 (26) |
|
It is usually advisable for babies to receive liquid (water, sugar, juice, etc.…) before the first breastfeeding |
8 (12) |
47 (71) |
11 (17) |
|
It is usually advisable for mothers not to give their babies the first milk that comes out after delivery |
6 (9) |
50 (76) |
10 (15) |
|
If a child who is breastfed has not regained his birth weight by two weeks, the mother should be encouraged to start supplement breast milk with the bottle. |
13 (20) |
43 (65) |
10 (15) |
|
A breastfeeding mother who feels that breast milk is insufficient should supplement it with a bottle or porridge after each feeding. |
33 (50) |
28 (42) |
5 (8) |
|
A baby who is breastfeed still needs to drink water like everyone else |
30 (45) |
30 (45) |
6 (9) |
|
If a baby cries at night, it is recommended to give him a bottle before putting him/her to sleep. |
7 (11) |
55 (83) |
4 (6) |
|
Health care workers |
|
|
|
|
In the first 1 or 2 days after birth the quantity of milk produced is too small to meet all the needs of a baby |
36 (75) |
10 (25) |
0 |
|
Colostrum acts as a purgative and is important to clear the meconium and helps prevent jaundice |
42 (88) |
3 (6) |
3 (6) |
|
A newborn who is being breastfed still needs to drink water like everyone else |
- |
48 (100) |
- |
|
Children who are exclusively breastfed tend to have fewer episodes of diarrhea |
48 (100) |
- |
- |
|
Children who are exclusively breastfed are more likely to develop an ear infection or pneumonia |
- |
47 (98) |
1 (2) |
|
Regular and frequent breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of uterine bleeding and help the uterus return to its previous size |
44 (92) |
3 (6) |
1 (2) |
|
Frequent, on demand, and prolonged breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of breast or ovarian cancer |
32 (67) |
6 (12) |
10 (21) |
| Mothers who think their breast milk is insufficient for their baby should top up each breastfeeding with a bottle of formula or porridge, juice etc.… | 35 (73) | 2 (4) | 11 (23) |
*Statements were read to participants and they were asked to state for each whether it was “true”, “false”, or if they “don’t know.”