Knowledge, Attitudes, and Barriers to Breastfeeding in Adolescent Mothers: a Review

Introduction: Despite the proven benefits of breastfeeding, there are a variety reasons why many women do not, or cannot, breastfeed their children. Adolescent mothers even less likely to than non-adolescent mothers. The aim this review was synthesize current literature on breastfeeding practices in adolescent and explore factors influencing decisions. Methods: A search conducted January 2018 using PubMed. Studies were included if they discussed mothers’ views experiences reporting rates among For review, adolescence defined as ages between 13 21. Results: Of 19 studies selected, each study summarized analyzed determine that proportion who is lower mothers: 31-100% initiated 17-64% breastfed exclusively, more half stopped within first month. Intention breastfeed, social support maternity care positive predictors behaviors. Although significant effects interventions aimed at improving revealed by findings also indicated analytical themes related adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes, barriers unique age group. Conclusions: This highlights adolescents have limited face including returning school, stigma, physical demands unease with act breastfeeding. These indicate developmentally sensitive education fundamental effective increase