Journal of North Khorasan

Background & Objectives: Breast feeding is the best feeding option for infants. The WHO recommends that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life, but in recent years indices of exclusive breastfeeding in Iran has extremely dropped. Therefore, planning about this item is essential. This study evaluates the mother’s experiences on exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of infant’s life.

Material & Methods: The phenomenological qualitative research method has been Collaizzi. Eight women, having children less than 2 years old  who were referred to the health centers in Mashhad in 1393 were enrolled. The content of the interviews were recorded with the permission of the participants and were implemented immediately after the meetings and examined by seven -step method colaizzi thematic analysis.

Results: Exclusive breast feeding reviewed around two main axes: Factors promoting breast feeding for 6 months and inhibiting breast feeding for 6 months. The main themes were identified in 6 factors: factors related to the child; to the mother; the role of health personnel; family and community supports; self-efficacy and the role of Islam.The greatest factors in strengthening self- efficacy are listed as the self-effort of the mother, the mother's confidence, and husband support. Most of the mothers believed that exclusive breastfeeding is enough for 4 to 5 months because of the pediatrician commanding.

Conclusion: Using the supportive resources, media advertisements are effective in improvement of mothers awareness and self-efficacy about the exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months before the delivery.