Reasons for non-exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months: a five-year study of exclusive breastfeeding promotion in a tertiary care center in Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the rate of exclusivebreastfeeding in the Srinagarind Hospital during the five years from 2011-2015 and details the reasons for non-exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months after birth. A retrospective descriptive study was conducted involving 9165 mother-infant pairs attending a breastfeeding clinic between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015. The relevant data were collected from the breastfeeding records including the main reasons for non-exclusive breastfeeding, types of feeding after discontinuation of breastfeeding, and feeding status at the first two weeks, two, four and six months postpartum. The rates of exclusive breastfeeding at the six months were 44.89%, 47.55%, 51.34%, 45.34% and 52.49% from 2011-2015, respectively. The three most common reasons in the first two-week period were low milk quantity (55.67%), tried for breastfeeding (26.57%), and alternate methods of feeding (milk or water; 15.91%). At two months. Infant feeding difficulty and mother-infant separation were the two most common reasons at two months (37.96% and 36.67%, retrospectively). At six months, mother-infant separation was the most common reason (36.98%) and an alternate feeding method was the second most common reason (30%). Breastfeeding with infant formula was the most common type of non-exclusive breastfeeding at two weeks, two months, and four months (80%, 70%, and 39.9%, respectively). In conclusion, during the first two months postpartum, attention should be focused on infant feeding and mother-infant separation. From two to six months postpartum, we should focus on low milk quantity, mother-infant separation, and alternate feeding methods.