Abstract
Breastfeeding provides numerous nutritional and immunological benefits, promotes neurological and cognitive development, and protects against chronic and infectious diseases, rendering it beneficial to the survival and well-being of infants. According to international recommendations, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months. However, despite global health recommendations and funding initiatives, exclusive breastfeeding rates remain low worldwide. A number of studies attribute the low rates to factors that can be grouped into demographic, psychosocial, economic and midwifery factors, and outline the profile of each mother who opts to exclusively breastfeed her infant. In addition, the number of previous pregnancies, induced labor, the use of epidurals at birth or the possibility of the newborn being delivered prematurely, and the need for admission to an intensive care unit are the factors that reduce the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding. Further research is required to understand the factors influencing the initiation and maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding, as international interventions have been ineffective. The aim of the present review was to provide an up-to-date summary of these various factors in an aim to assist health care professionals and policy makers in developing effective interventions with which to promote and support exclusive breastfeeding.