Breastfeeding is one
of the most effective public health
interventions known to reduce illness
and deaths in infants and young
children. While Zimbabwe has a
breastfeeding culture, exclusive
breastfeeding has remained low over
the last decade. This study explored
factors that enable and hinder
exclusive breastfeeding in a rural
district of Zimbabwe. Ten mothers and
5 key informants with breastfeeding
experience were interviewed.
Interviews were audiotaped,
transcribed in Ndebele, translated into
English, and analyzed using thematic
analysis. Notable gaps still exist
regarding mothers’ understanding
of exclusive breastfeeding. Hunger,
myths, and traditional beliefs around
breastfeeding, as well as mixed and
inconsistent messages regarding HIV/
AIDS and breastfeeding, remain
barriers to exclusive breastfeeding
in the study area. Support from
significant others, good nutrition
for the breastfeeding mother, and
knowledge about breastfeeding
emerged as factors enabling
exclusive breastfeeding. Messaging
on breastfeeding and HIV/AIDS
need to be consistent. Breastfeeding
messages ought to be context specific,
targeting custodians of tradition
and belief systems, including men
and significant others, to create a
supportive and enabling environment
for mothers to exclusively breastfeed.
Whether hunger and differences
in breastfeeding patterns between
boys and girls affect infant feeding
practices warrants further research.