Exploring the barriers to optimal infant feeding in the first six months of life in De Doorns, Western Cape

Abstract

Adequate infant feeding (IF) practices, specifically exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life, is one of the approaches to addressing malnutrition. The World Health Assembly has set an international target to increase the rate of EBF to 50% by 2025. In a study on the IF practices in the Breede Valley sub-district, within the Cape Winelands health district, the EBF rate was 6%. Despite a recently documented improvement in the South African EBF rate, further improvements need to be made to reduce our stagnant rates of stunting, undernutrition and increasing rates of overnutrition. This study aimed to explore the mothers' perceptions regarding the factors that contribute to poor IF practices in the first six months of life in the De Doorns area, Western Cape.