Exclusive Breastfeeding, Prevalence and Maternal Concerns: Saudi and Egyptian Mothers

Abstract

Breast milk is rich in nutrients and anti-bodies and contains the right quantities of sugar, water, fat and protein that promotes not only growth and development of infants but also important for theirsurvive. Exclusive breastfeeding is enough to the needs of infants less than six months without any addition. Several studies mentioned that the mothers who breastfeed were less risks for certain poor health outcomes. Aim is identifying, prevalence and maternal concerns of exclusive breastfeeding in KAS and ARE. Tools: an interview questionnaire sheet that assessed socio-demographic data of infants and their mothers, maternal satisfaction and concerns and infants' feeding types. Results, 65% from Egyptian mothers feed their infants exclusively while in Saudi mothers was 14%. Regarding maternal concerns, 86% from Saudi mothers unsatisfied with EBF while in the Egyptian mothers was 35% and the main concerns in Saudi mothers returned to, EBF not enough to satisfying the baby , not applicable outdoor, need effort and not suitable for working mothers .

Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding, maternal concerns, formula feeding and partial breastfeeding.