Exclusive Breastfeeding Pattern and Related Factors in Children in Sanandaj in 2018

Background: Breastfeeding has the highest efficacy in promoting health and preventing disorders and diseases. Cessation of breastfeeding, especially in the first six months after delivery (the critical time), has a profound effect on the emotional and physical health of mothers and children. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the exclusive breastfeeding pattern and its related factors in children in Sanandaj 2018. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study enrolled 400 children aged 7-24 months in Sanandaj, Iran. Data were collected with a three-part questionnaire including demographic information, factors affecting the exclusive breastfeeding and child-related factors through interviews. Data were analyzed by chi-square test in SPSS software (version 21). P value <5 was considered significant. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 71.5%. Significant relationships were found between exclusive breast feeding and the following variables: unwanted pregnancy, mother's perception of the adequacy of milk, baby’s hospitalization after birth, and skin-to-skin contact in the hospital, and breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. (p≤0.05) Conclusion: Since the main reason for the reduction in exclusive breastfeeding is the fact that mother’s perception of inadequate milk and fear of baby’s hunger, breastfeeding can be promoted by designing appropriate programs for training mothers in healthcare centers in the third trimester of pregnancy.