Table 2 Breastfeeding challenges reported by participants (n = 240)
|  | Total (n = 240) M (SD) | EBF (n = 160) M (SD) | Non-EBF (n = 80) M (SD) | EBF Median (IQR) | Non-EBF Median (IQR) | P - value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Worry about breastmilk alone not meeting the nutritional needs of baby | 3.43 (1.35) | 3.40 (1.32) | 3.50 (1.41) | 4 (2–4) | 4 (2–5) | 0.443 |
Short Maternity Leave Period | 3.41 (1.29) | 3.44 (1.29) | 3.35 (1.30) | 3 (3–5) | 3 (3–5) | 0.744 |
Sociocultural pressure to introduce water and artificial feeds | 3.39 (1.28) | 3.34 (1.31) | 3.50 (1.23) | 4 (2–4) | 4 (2–5) | 0.367 |
Difficulty combining work and breastfeeding | 3.18 (1.30) | 3.42 (1.34) | 2.68 (1.07) | 4 (2–5) | 3 (2–3) | 0.000 |
Emotional stress | 3.10 (1.19) | 3.28 (1.13) | 2.75 (1.23) | 3 (2–4) | 3 (2–4) | 0.001 |
Lack of support from family, friends and society | 2.74 (1.35) | 2.86 (1.40) | 2.50 (1.23) | 2 (2–4) | 2 (2–4) | 0.060 |
Lack of support from healthcare professionals | 2.66 (1.21) | 2.76 (1.22) | 2.45 (1.17) | 3 (2–4) | 2 (2–3) | 0.040 |
Low breastmilk production | 2.63 (1.21) | 2.56 (1.16) | 2.78 (1.28) | 2 (2–3) | 2 (2–4) | 0.263 |
Cracked or sore nipples | 2.55 (1.24) | 2.49 (1.17) | 2.68 (1.36) | 2 (2–4) | 2 (1.25–4) | 0.390 |
Breast engorgement | 2.55 (1.24) | 2.49 (1.17) | 2.68 (1.36) | 2 (2–4) | 2 (1.25–4) | 0.390 |
Shyness when breastfeeding in public | 2.05 (1.23) | 2.08 (1.27) | 2.00 (1.15) | 2 (1–2) | 2 (1–2) | 0.781 |