Patterns, Perception of Facilitators, Barriers to Breastfeeding, and its Associated Factors Among Working Mothers in Khordha District, Odisha, India.

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding is a critical determinant of infant survival, maternal health, and sustainable development. In India, although the exclusive breastfeeding rate has gradually improved, working mothers face unique challenges in sustaining breastfeeding. Despite supportive legislation for breastfeeding, implementation gaps and cultural barriers continue to undermine its effectiveness.

RESEARCH AIM: To assess the patterns, facilitators, barriers, and their associated factors to breastfeeding among working mothers.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 222 working mothers recruited through consecutive sampling. Data were collected using structured interviews and self-administered questionnaires to evaluate breastfeeding patterns, facilitators, and barriers.

RESULTS

Most mothers exclusively breastfed (46.4%) within 6 months, while 45.5% mixed-fed and 8.1% predominantly breastfed their babies. The most common facilitators of breastfeeding were family support (85.6%) and partner support (82.4%), while the most common barriers were fatigue (54.1%), lack of workplace policy (53.6%), and work stress (51.8%). Breastfeeding patterns were significantly associated with mothers' age, cohabitation status, child's age at return to work, extended maternity leave, current breastfeeding status, work system, and caregiver type. Mothers under 30 years had higher odds of mixed feeding (OR = 2.14) and predominant breastfeeding (OR = 2.27), while normal delivery (OR = 0.35), partner cohabitation (OR = 0.30), returning to work after 6 months (OR = 0.34), continued breastfeeding (OR = 0.44), extended maternity leave (OR = 0.20), and family caregivers (OR = 0.38) had lower odds of mixed feeding and predominant breastfeeding compared to exclusive breastfeeding.

CONCLUSION

Breastfeeding patterns of working mothers are influenced by workplace, social, and individual factors. Promoting breastfeeding requires strengthening workplace policies and family involvement.