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) |