Running Bead: Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Professionals

Abstract

Over the past decade breastfeeding promotion, with a strong bias for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, is accounting for a gradual reversal in the decline of breastfeeding noticed in African countries in the late 1970's. Although there has been some increase in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana, this rate falls significantly after the. first two months, as complementary feeding before the sixth month is common. Despite the decline in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding after the second month, some mothers sustain the practice up to the sixth month. A qualitative design was employed to investigate what has facilitated the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for four to six months among professionals. Ten professionals were purposefully sampled. In-depth audiotaped interviews were conducted in English. The results indicated that commitment was a strong enabling factor of exclusive breastfeeding practice, with education playing a key role. Commitment did not work in isolation. Direct facilitators like the availability of time, support and engagement in exclusive breastfeeding-related activities enhanced the role of commitment. Although some barriers that were potentially deterrent to the practice of exclusive breastfeeding were reported, the combined effect of commitment and direct facilitators enabled the practice for four to six months. Among strategies that could be used to increase and sustain the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding is the strengthening of the educational component of the breastfeeding, promotion programme that contributes to a better understanding of the completeness of breastmilk as both food and drink for the infant. Other strategies include drawing on the experiences of women who have successfully exclusively breastfed, the establishment of self-help breastfeeding support groups and training health professionals in lactation management.