JOB INFLUENCE ON PRACTICE OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WORKING CLASS MOTHERS IN URBAN COMMUNITIES OF EKITI STATE, SOUTHWESTERN, NIGERIA

Breastfeeding is the first fundamental right of the child. Exclusive breastfeeding means giving a baby no other food or drink, not even water, in addition to breastfeeding Piyush (2007). In other to maintain the economic status and boost family income, women started to work in different sectors, which make it difficult for them to practice exclusive breastfeeding. The study descriptive cross sectional study design, the populations studied were the working-class nursing mothers attending the infant welfare clinics of urban communities in Ekiti- state. The study instruments were structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed and presented using tables and chart. The results revealed that acceptability of exclusive breastfeeding concepts is high among the population studied. It was discovered that majority of the respondents {99%} agreed and strongly agreed that exclusive breast feeding is desirable, feasible, nutritious and helps in child growth and development. Above half of the respondents {55%} agreed that working hours is a barrier to breastfeeding. The study revealed that majority of the respondents {90%} agreed to the fact that working class nursing mothers need flexible working hours for effective practice of exclusive breastfeeding. The study concluded that breastfeeding is desirable and feasible, and that government should increase maternity leave to six months after delivery for effective practice of exclusive breastfeeding.