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ABSTRACT
The study analysed the factors influencing breastfeeding of infants by lactating mothers in Benin Metropolis. Three research questions were raised and one hypothesis was tested at 0.5 level of significance. The descriptive survey research was employed in the study. The study population was all breastfeeding mothers attending for postnatal care at University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). The sample size comprised of one hundred (105) respondents. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire which was distributed to the respondents. The instrument was retrieved and analyzed using percentage, frequency, mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions. From the results of the data analysed, the study revealed that access to health care services, family support towards breastfeeding, the availability of breastfeeding-friendly workplace and policies and income level of the mother were not factors that influences breastfeeding of infants by lactating mother. It was also revealed that lactating mothers’ breastfeeding in Benin metropolis lack accurate knowledge about the approximate percentage of lactating mothers’ breastfeeding in Benin metropolis. The study further revealed that a mother’s behaviour and her emotional feelings can affect how long she breastfeed, understanding when a baby is hungry or full can influence how long a mother breastfeed. Based on these findings it was recommended among others that, there is need to ensure that healthcare facilities, particularly in Benin Metropolis, provide adequate support and education for breastfeeding mothers. There is need for government and non-government organization and other health care stakeholders to advocate for improved maternity leave policies that support breastfeeding mothers.
