Optimal Breastfeeding Practices in Muya Health Zone, Mbujimayi Town, Democratic Republic of Congo

The optimal breastfeeding practices analysis in Muya health zone, Mbujimayi town/Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) study aimed to determine the profile of optimal breastfeeding and, the causes of its early discontinuation. It was a cross-sectional analytical study of 80 breastfeeding women conducted over 3 months, from July to October 2023. It revealed that 85 percent of infants were put to the breast within one hour of birth; the average age for introducing supplementary feeding was 4.08±0.767 months; 40 percent of infants were continuously breastfed; the average age for weaning was 11.50±5.664 months; 75 percent of newborns received colostrum after birth, and 65 percent of infants were introduced supplementary feeding between 3 and 5 months of age. The breastfeeding discontinuation causes were mothers' poor knowledge of the age at which complementary food should be introduced [OR] 6.603 and low monthly household income [OR] 1.045.