Breastfeeding Knowledge and Practices: Exploring Awareness, Challenges, and Misconceptions among Mothers in Lalitpur, Nepal

Breastfeeding behavior, though fundamental to mothers' and infants' health, is still affected by socio-cultural, economic, and medical factors.The current study explores breastfeeding knowledge, practice, and difficulties of mothers in Lalitpur Metropolitan City-25, Bhaisepati, Nepal.Similarly, I selected 50 respondents by using purposive sampling and conducted semi-structured interviews.I found that despite seventy-eight percent of respondents having started breastfeeding within one hour and ninety percent recognizing the value of colostrum, there is still a shortfall in exclusive breastfeeding behaviors.Specifically, forty-two percent doubt the adequacy of breast milk for the first six months, and misconceptions about preserving expressed breast milk are prevalent, with sixty-eight percent suggesting frying as a method of preservation.Furthermore, socio-cultural orientations, economic factors, and the absence of work support are all implicated in suboptimal breastfeeding behavior.In addition, this paper proposes the necessity for targeted interventions, such as professional training and policy reform, to counteract cultural prejudice, economic limitations, and structural barriers.