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Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with a significantly lower incidence of common childhood illnesses, including diarrhea, acute respiratory tract infections, and fever, as well as fewer hospital admissions in children under two years. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

May 31, 2026Open Access

Assessment of Breastfeeding Practices and Their Association With Common Childhood Illnesses Among Children Under Two Years

Key Points

The aim is to assess breastfeeding practices and their association with common childhood illnesses in children under two years.
Cross-sectional study conducted among 250 children under two years attending health care centers in Mosul, Iraq.
Data collected from mothers using a structured questionnaire on breastfeeding practices and illnesses.
Data analyzed using SPSS; associations tested by Chi-square, with p-value <0.05 considered significant.
44.8% of infants had early initiation of breastfeeding; 41.6% were exclusively breastfed for six months.
Non-exclusive breastfeeding correlated with higher rates of diarrhea (45.9% vs. 26.0%, p=0.002), acute respiratory infections (53.4% vs. 32.7%, p=0.001), and fever (58.2% vs. 39.4%, p=0.004).
Exclusive breastfeeding associated with lower rates of common childhood illnesses and hospital admissions.

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is an essential infant feeding practice that provides optimal nutrition and immunological protection during early life. Suboptimal breastfeeding practices may increase the risk of common childhood illnesses, particularly diarrhea and respiratory tract infections. Objectives: To assess breastfeeding practices and determine their association with common childhood illnesses among children under two years attending primary health care centers and hospital pediatric consultation clinic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 children under two years attending Baghdada Primary Health Care Centers and the Pediatric Consultation Clinic at Mosul General Hospital, Nineveh Governorate, Iraq, from August 2024 to November 2025. Data were collected from mothers or caregivers using a structured questionnaire covering breastfeeding practices and common childhood illnesses. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 31, and associations were tested by Chi-square test. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Early initiation of breastfeeding was reported in 44.8% of infants, while exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months was reported in 41.6%. Continued breastfeeding at the time of data collection was found in 63.2% of children. Fever was the most commonly reported illness (50.4%), followed by acute respiratory tract infection (44.8%) and diarrhea (37.6%). Non-exclusively breastfed children had significantly higher rates of diarrhea (45.9% vs. 26.0%, p = 0.002), acute respiratory tract infection (53.4% vs. 32.7%, p = 0.001), fever episodes (58.2% vs. 39.4%, p = 0.004), and hospital admission (19.9% vs. 8.7%, p = 0.018) compared with exclusively breastfed children. Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with lower occurrence of common childhood illnesses among children under two years. Strengthening breastfeeding counseling during antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care is recommended to improve breastfeeding practices and reduce preventable childhood morbidity.

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