Factors Influencing Initiation of Breast Feeding among Post-Partum Mothers in a Teaching Hospital of Osun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:- Breastfeeding is well recognized as the best food source for infants. It has been advocated as a cost effective means of improving the child’s health, mother’s health and mother - infant bonding. The study was carried out to determine the factors that influence the initiation of breast feeding among post partum mothers in a teaching hospital of Osun State, Nigeria.

METHOD: - A descriptive cross sectional research design was used, with 317 respondents selected randomly. Data were collected using a self-designed questionnaire. The data were analyzed using statistical product and service solutions window version 21. Six research hypotheses were set and analyzed while only one research questions was answered.

RESULT: Results showed that maternal age was the only factor found to influence breast feeding initiation. Majority of respondents lack adequate understanding of the factors that are major predictors of breast feeding initiation.

CONCLUSION:- It was concluded that mothers should be given health information on factors that can influence initiation of

Keywords:Factors influencing, Initiation, Post partum mothers, breast feeding.