Infant feeding : mothers' choice of feeding methods

Abstract

While there abundant literature about breast feeding trends in the UK, only there studies have been carried out in Malta, by two obstetricians Thus the author carried out a small scale taking a descriptive, retrospective approach, to examine factors which may affect the decision to breast feed and factors which affect the early abandonment of breast feeding. Ten breast feeding mothers were chosen by convenience from the postnatal ward and interviewed three weeks later at their home. lt is clear that most mothers make their decision about the feeding method of their baby before conception and influences on their decision to breast feed are multifactorial. A predominant influence affecting the decision is their husbands' support. The most highlighted reason for unsuccessful breast feeding is that mothers believe that they have insufficient milk supply to keep up with their baby's demands. The practice not giving supplementary feeds to the baby needs to be accentuated if breast feeding is to be successful. Some recommendations have been suggested so that mothers who express a desire to breast feed are helped to have a successful and fulfilling experience.