Background: Despite overwhelming scientific evidence that documents the benefits of breast feeding for feeding infants, in recent years, there is still little progress towards maintenance of this method. Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed at detecting the impact of breast feeding on infant growth, some morbidities affecting infants and some possible causes beyond failure of initiation or maintenance of breast feeding. Subject and methods: The study was conducted in the period from July to September, 2006, on four hundred (400) infants aged 6-12 months and their mothers attending the vaccination clinics in Benha city. Data about mothers and their infants as socio-demographic, socio-behavioral, fertility of mothers, antenatal care, pattern of infant feeding and some morbidity affecting infants as ARI and acute diarrhea were collected using structured questionnaire. Infant growth was assessed using anthropometric measurements as weight, length and head circumference. Results: The results showed that 46.8% of the studied mothers exclusively breastfed their infants compared to 53.2% failed to initiate or maintain breast feeding (P < 0.05). Exclusively breastfed infants were significantly higher among mothers aged 20-30 years (70.6%), rural mothers (59%), non working (54.9%), those of middle & low social class (55.6%, 53.4%) and those living in extended families (52.2%). Seventy percent of artificially fed infants were belonging to highly educated mothers. The higher rates of breast feeding were significantly associated with multiparty, practicing of antenatal care, receiving health education about breast feeding, prolonged inter-pregnancy spacing, normal delivery, early initiation of breast feeding and giving no prelacteals. The majority of exclusively breastfed infants (89.8%) showed normal growth, while, the minority of them suffered from acute respiratory infection (ARI) and acute diarrheal diseases (11.8%, 34.7% respectively). About 75% of causes of failure of exclusive breast feeding were attributed to maternal reasons mainly mother's work and nutritional ignorance of mothers. Refusal of breast feeding by infants was the main infantile cause of failure. Conclusion: The study concluded that exclusive breast feeding has better effect on infant growth and decreasing infant morbidity. Recommendations: Application of health education program about benefits, technique, suitable duration and treating minor difficulties to promote breast feeding is highly recommended |
