Knowledge and Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Nursing Mothers Attending Well-Baby Clinics in Ibadan, South West Nigeria

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is globally endorsed as the optimal infant feeding practice, offering substantial protection against infections, malnutrition, and mortality. However, adherence to this recommendation remains inconsistent across Nigerian communities. This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers attending well-baby clinics at selected secondary health facilities in Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, with 320 mothers selected using systematic random sampling. Data were gathered through structured interviewer-administered questionnaires covering breastfeeding knowledge, initiation time, duration, reasons for premature cessation, and healthcare provider influence. Findings revealed that while 78.4% of respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding benefits, only 51.2% reported actually practising it exclusively for up to six months. Common reasons for early cessation included perceived insufficient milk supply, maternal return to work, and unsolicited supplementary feeding advice from relatives. Healthcare worker counselling was significantly associated with sustained exclusive breastfeeding (p less than 0.05). The study underscores a critical knowledge-practice gap and identifies socio-cultural influences as key barriers. Recommendations include enhanced lactation counselling during antenatal and postnatal visits, workplace lactation policies, and community sensitisation targeting grandmothers and other influential family members. Keywords: exclusive breastfeeding, nursing mothers, well-baby clinic, Ibadan, South West Nigeria.