Breastfeeding Support and Determinants of Expressed Breast Milk Feeding Practice among Working Mothers in Sokoto, Nigeria

Introduction: The level of support for breastfeeding working mothers receive at workplace has been found to considerably influence their decision to continue with breastfeeding when they return to work. This study aimed to assess breastfeeding support and determinants of expressed breast milk feeding practice among working mothers in Sokoto, Nigeria. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 246 mothers of children aged 2 years and below attending the immunization clinics of the tertiary healthcare facilities in Sokoto, Nigeria. Data were collected with a set of pretested, structured, intervieweradministered questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 27.7 ± 4.9 years. Although, all of them enjoyed maternity leave, only a few (4.4%) had a convenient place to express their breast milk at work, or had breastfeeding breaks at work. Thirty two (13.0%) of the 246 respondents had fair / good knowledge of expressed breast milk feeding, and only 83 (33.7%) had practiced it. The sole determinant of expressed breast milk feeding practice among the respondents was the index child’s age. Mothers of infants were almost 4 times more likely to practice expressed breast milk feeding as compared to mothers of neonates and older children (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 3.748, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.332 – 10.549, p = 0.012). Conclusion: This study showed low level of support for breast feeding, as well as low level of knowledge and practice of expressed breast milk feeding among working mothers in Sokoto, Nigeria. For working mothers to meet the nutritional requirements of infants, employers of labour should address the constraints to expressed breast milk feeding practice at the workplace.