Table 2 Facilitators to EBF practice: Codebook with the various identified themes, sub-themes, and studies

1.Maternal-infant factors

1.1 Maternal factors

1.1.1 Mother’s personal opinion of EBF and knowledge of the benefits of EBF.

[29, 31, 32, 37, 39,40,41, 45]

1.1.2 Mothers’ commitment and self-efficacy

[35,36,37, 40]

1.1.3 Adequate maternal nutrition

[32, 34, 45]

1.2 Infant factors

1.2.1 Better cognitive development

[26, 29, 30, 41, 45]

1.2.2 Protection against infections

[29, 31, 32, 37, 39, 42]

2. Influence of support structures

2.1 Influence of family members

2.1.1 Influence of husband

[26, 29, 30, 32, 44]

2.1.2 Influence of other family members

[26, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44]

2.2 Workplace support

2.2.1 Flexible work time and longer maternity leave

[28, 41]

2.2.2 Arrangement of nursery at the workplace

[40]

2.3 Health system support

2.3.1 Influence of healthcare workers

[26, 28, 29, 36, 37, 41, 44]

3. Influence of traditional and sociocultural beliefs

3.1 Sociocultural beliefs

3.3.1 Breast milk is the only food for infants and a natural gift from God

[30, 39]

3.3.2 Breastfeeding is a traditional practice

[29, 30]

3.3.3 Belief that colostrum is good for the baby

[41, 45]

3.3.4 Fear of discrimination

[28, 30, 38, 43, 45]

4. Influence on family finances

4.1 Resource constraints

4.1.1 Saves the cost of purchasing infant formula/hospital visits

[30, 31, 39, 41, 43]

5. Environmental factors

5.1 Poor sanitation and hygiene practices

5.1.1 Fear of infection due to inadequate preparation of food and water

[31]