Table 2 Summary of the main precipitating factors for adding other food or fluids among those mothers who failed to EBF for 6 months

W03: Urban, HIV positive

Advised by the nurse to stop breastfeeding at three months upon returning to work

M05: Rural, Other

Pressured by aunt to give traditional medicine at one month

M09: Rural, HIV positive

Mother perceived milk insufficiency at five months

W10: Urban, Teenager

Advised by the nurse to give water within one month

M13: Rural, Teenager

Introduced formula milk upon returning to school at two months

M14: Rural, Working

Baby given water with sugar while mother was at work at three months

M15: Rural, Teenager

Pressured by the grandmother to introduce complementary foods at two months

W15: Urban, Other

Advised by the nurse to give water at three months

W17, Urban, Teenage

Mother perceived milk insufficiency at four months

W19: Urban, Teenager

Baby given pre-lacteal feeds at the hospital within one week

M19: Rural, Other

Baby given water because breastmilk not coming out during the first three days

M22: Rural, Teenager

Instructed by her mother (child’s grandmother) to feed the baby soft solids at four months

M24: Rural, HIV positive

Mother struggled to express at work and introduced formula milk at three months

W30: Urban, Teenager

Baby struggled to latch and was given formula milk at one month

W31: Urban, Working

Baby given pre-lacteal feeds at the hospital within one week

W47: Urban, HIV positive

Baby not getting full from breast alone at five months

W49: Urban, Other

Advised by her mother to add porridge at three months

Total no of mothers

5

5

4

3