This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cohen, R. J. Articles by Dewey, K. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cohen, R. J. Articles by Dewey, K. G. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Promoting Exclusive Breastfeeding for 4-6 Months in Honduras: Attitudes of Mothers and Barriers to Compliance

Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis (UCD)

Kenneth H. Brown, MD

International Nutrition, UCD.

Leonardo Landa Rivera, MD

San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Kathryn G. Dewey, PhD

Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA 95616-8669 USA.

Prospective and retrospective data on maternal attitudes and obstacles to exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) were collected from Honduran mothers of low birthweight (1500-2500 g), term infants who were enrolled in an intervention study to compare infant outcomes in those who were randomly assigned to breastfeed exclusively for either 4 or 6 months. Perceived advantages of EBF were that it was easier, more practical and economical, and resulted in better infant health and growth. Disadvantages included the perceived time demand, concerns that the infant would accept solids less readily, and fears that breast milk alone was insufficient. The majority of study participants said that they would choose to EBF, particularly in the first few weeks, women who persevered became enthusiastic proponents of EBF. Messages to promote EBF need to target the entire community, not just mothers, and should focus on addressing common misconceptions and alerting women to potential problems before they occur.

Key Words: breastfeeding promotion • exclusive breastfeeding • breastfeeding barriers

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. G. Dewey, R. J. Cohen, K. H. Brown, and L. L. Rivera Effects of Exclusive Breastfeeding for Four versus Six Months on Maternal Nutritional Status and Infant Motor Development: Results of Two Randomized Trials in Honduras J. Nutr., February 1, 2001; 131(2): 262 - 267. [Abstract] [Full Text]