Introduction
The controversy over melanin that came up in the last quarter of 2008 sparked people’s attention to bring it back to the recurring debates between breastfeeding and the utilization of breastmilk subs like the formula used in commercial infant milk. It was not the first instance that the procedure caused sickness and sometimes even death to babies worldwide. That is what instigated the continuous campaign of WHO and UNICEF. Other advocates for breastfeeding also came in for the campaign and the mothers who breastfeed their babies until they reach six months.
The feeding practices that involve infants should meet the immunological and nutritional needs of the child. A study of infant feeding patterns got carried out using a sample of 100 mothers and their infants. The result of the survey revealed that 20% of the moms exclusively breastfed their babies. The product also showed that several factors lead to such low numbers. The socio-economic factors like the status of work, marital status, and education level directly affected the outcome. Mothers who have employment tend to stop breastfeeding their babies and get to use the formula feeding. The study also highlighted that married mothers and probably lived together with their partners, breastfeed their children than single mothers.
Methodology (Depends on Research Type)
Qualitative and quantitative research will get used in this study. Qualitative research focuses on gathering a deeper understanding of humans’ behavior and the underlying reasons for those actions. It aims to understand the why and how of the process of decision-making. The researcher will also make examinations through observations and statistical analysis. Questionnaires will get handed out to respondents, and interviews with some experts and respondents will get conducted.
Method of Sampling
Random sampling will get used in this research to obtain a more specific and scientific result. Las Pinas City hall provided a list of healthcare facilities that included maternities, hospitals, and health centers.
Three barangays from 20 will get picked by random sampling. The institutions and health centers will, therefore, be the target of the researcher’s respondents. Verbal consent will get set to get obtained through contact to allow the mothers’ administration of questionnaires. The researcher’s protocol, together with the letter of authorization, will get sent to them, fit with the questionnaire. A letter to the City Health Officer also got sent for endorsement to conduct research.
Data got collected throughout the health centers and facilities.
Respondents
All the respondents in this research will come from a single location, Las Pinas city. the city got chosen because of the socio-economic state in the area that is in line with the frame and resources of the study. Consent and approval will get asked of the respondents sampled randomly until the 100 mark gets reached.
Questionnaire
The questionnaire will bear information on the population background and the socio-economic status of the mother. It has queries related to the practices of the infant feeding and the youngest baby’s birth that entails the baby’s age and well-being of the child.
Statements got generally thought to enclose the factors that push mothers to initiate the decisions on infant feeding got presented. The material will also bear questions on the infant formula’s description and the mothers who use the mixed feeding.
Conclusion
Several mothers use the formula to feed their children, and only a fraction get to feed their children with breast milk, per the WHO’s recommendation. While many mothers in the study illuminated a positive attitude towards breastfeeding, many of them decided to utilize the formula due to reasons about work and the supply of milk.
As per the study results, the status of work, level of education, and work status are some of the most significant factors that alter mothers’ feeding decisions in the city.
Several mothers who acted as respondents in this study fall in 17-30 years. College graduates constituted more than half of them, while some were undergrads and only attained a high school certificate. Most mothers are housewives, and for the remaining bunch, they have full-time employment, self-employment, or part-time jobs. A fraction of them is students. The majority are married, but some are single mothers. Most of the mothers do not have self-sustaining jobs and depend on causal work for their daily meals.
