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@article{184468,
        author = {Sumana Goswami},
        title = {Barriers to Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {4},
        pages = {1553-1555},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=184468},
        abstract = {Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months is recommended by WHO due to its proven benefits for infant health, growth, and development. Yet, global EBF rates remain below recommended levels. This review synthesizes evidence on barriers to EBF to inform policy and practice.
Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and WHO databases for studies published from 2000–2025 reporting barriers to EBF. Inclusion criteria were observational studies, qualitative studies, and systematic reviews that explicitly reported barriers to exclusive breastfeeding. A PRISMA flow diagram outlines the screening process. Data were extracted and synthesized thematically, and study characteristics were summarized in tabular format.
Results: Twenty-four studies (10 systematic reviews, 8 cross-sectional studies, 4 qualitative studies, 2 cohort studies) met inclusion criteria. Barriers were categorized into maternal (perceived insufficient milk, pain, illness, lack of confidence), infant-related (poor latch, prematurity, illness), health-system (cesarean birth, poor counseling, early separation), workplace/economic (short maternity leave, lack of workplace lactation support), and socio-cultural/commercial (family pressure, traditional practices, aggressive formula marketing). Perceived insufficient milk was the most commonly reported barrier across studies.
Conclusions: Barriers to EBF are multifaceted and interconnected. Effective interventions must include strengthening facility practices, ensuring workplace protections, enforcing the Code on Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, and engaging families and communities.},
        keywords = {Exclusive breastfeeding, barriers, perceived insufficient milk, workplace, culture, systematic review},
        month = {September},
        }