Challenges of Continuation of Exclusive Breast Feeding up to 6 Months in a Setting with High Exclusive Breast Feeding Rates Reported. Experience from Eastern Province of Sri Lanka

Background According to the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative, Sri Lanka ranked as number one and only country to achieve green status. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for six months is current practice with a rate of 75.5% among 0–5 months. Aim Identify factors contributing early cessation of breastfeeding in a single centre of Eastern province Sri Lanka. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Sammanthurai Medical officer of Health area. Consecutive mother-infant days with the infant ageing 35 years. 251(97.6%) had children 1–5 and 86(33.5%) were first born. 140 (54.5%) had tertiary education, 28 (10.9%).31(12.1%) were employed. EBF rates 0–6 months was 79.8% (n = 205). 239(93.0%) started breastfeeding within an hour. EBF was not associated with maternal age, birth order or income. 18 employed mothers and 186 unemployed mothers continued EBF. Regarding the factors associated with EBF, having a tertiary education (p