{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]],"date-time":"2026-09-01T16:36:43Z","timestamp":1788280603453,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":49,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,17]],"date-time":"2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1750118400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/100006641","name":"UNICEF","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100006641","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Maternal &amp; Child Nutrition"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,10]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title><jats:p>Breastfeeding is the optimal method of infant and young child feeding. In Nigeria, breastfeeding rates have struggled to markedly improve over past decades. Prior efforts to understand the determinants of breastfeeding have heavily focused on women themselves, with lesser attention on the complex interplay of cultural, economic and health system factors affecting breastfeeding. Given the struggle to sustain improvements in optimal feeding practices, a deeper, updated understanding of the supportive environment for breastfeeding in Nigeria is needed. This subset analysis stems from a formative study that conducted semi\u2010structured interviews and focus group discussions in urban and rural communities in Nigeria's six geo\u2010political zones. The analysis explored barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding at different levels of a socioecological model (SEM). Discussions with pregnant women and mothers of young children focused on the supportive environment for breastfeeding beyond the individual level, exploring facilitators and barriers in women's nuclear and multi\u2010generational families, their communities, and institutions that provide health and nutrition services. At the household level, participants highlighted the influence of family elders. In their communities, widespread traditional practices and beliefs helped and hindered breastfeeding, along with varying sources of community\u2010level support and influence. At the service level, women elaborated on the effect of healthcare service access, service availability, and the quality of health and nutrition services. This formative analysis deepens understanding of factors crucial for developing multilevel and multicomponent interventions across the SEM in Nigeria that can simultaneously support mothers and improve infant health outcomes nationwide.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1111\/mcn.70050","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,18]],"date-time":"2025-06-18T01:39:29Z","timestamp":1750210769000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["\u2018Breastfeeding Is Not the Sole Responsibility of Women\u2019: A Qualitative Examination of the Supportive Environment for Breastfeeding in Nigeria Across Levels of the Socioecological Model"],"prefix":"10.1111","volume":"21","author":[{"given":"Elizabeth","family":"Costenbader","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"FHI 360 Global Health and Population Research Durham North Carolina USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mackenzie","family":"Green","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Global Nutrition FHI 360 Washington District of Columbia USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kate","family":"Litvin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Global Nutrition FHI 360 Washington District of Columbia USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Christina","family":"Memmott","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"FHI 360 Global Health and Population Research Durham North Carolina USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tochukwu","family":"Osuji","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"InSiGHt Health Consulting Ltd Lagos Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Izuchukwu","family":"Offiaeli","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"UNICEF Nigeria Abuja Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nemat","family":"Hajeebhoy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"UNICEF Nigeria Abuja Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_9_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4103\/ijmh.IJMH_44_19"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_3_1","unstructured":"Alive & Thrive.2024. \u201cThe Costs of Not Breastfeeding.\u201dhttps:\/\/www.aliveandthrive.org\/en\/country-stat\/nigeria."},{"key":"e_1_2_9_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/mcn.13325"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/hsr2.2115"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.11604\/pamj.2020.37.342.17925"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/mcn.12180"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjgh-2020-002516"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13006-015-0055-4"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_10_1","first-page":"168","article-title":"Influence of Broadcast Media Campaigns on Creating Awareness on Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Study of Owerri Urban","volume":"5","author":"Cajetan I.","year":"2021","journal-title":"American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7176\/RHSS"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_12_1","unstructured":"Dedoose. Version 9.0.107 Cloud Application for Managing Analyzing and Presenting Qualitative and Mixed Method Research Data. Socio Cultural Research Consultants. 2023.https:\/\/www.dedoose.com."},{"key":"e_1_2_9_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-021-10675-2"},{"issue":"2","key":"e_1_2_9_14_1","first-page":"283","article-title":"Breastfeeding Knowledge and Factors Associated With Breastfeeding Initiation Among Post\u2010Partum Mothers in Selected Areas in Ibadan, Nigeria","volume":"23","author":"Fadupin G. T.","year":"2020","journal-title":"African Journal of Biomedical Research"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_15_1","unstructured":"FHI Solutions & UNICEF.2023. \u201cFormative Research on Key Child Survival and Nutrition Practices in the First 1 000 Days of Life: Findings Report.\u201d FHI Solutions & UNICEF."},{"key":"e_1_2_9_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/cdn\/nzab045_024"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0277137"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-020-03118-0"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1155\/2019\/9832075"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_20_1","volume-title":"Powerful Partnerships: Engaging Faith Leaders in Norms\u2010Shifting Interventions","author":"Institute for Reproductive Health (IRH)","year":"2021"},{"issue":"4","key":"e_1_2_9_21_1","first-page":"69","article-title":"Quality of Labour and Uncomplicated Delivery Care: A Formative Assessment of Selected Health Facilities in Ebonyi and Kogi States, Nigeria","volume":"24","author":"Ishola G.","year":"2020","journal-title":"African Journal of Reproductive Health"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13006-019-0231-z"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.53350\/pjmhs211592692"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/cdn\/nzz141"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_25_1","unstructured":"MOMENTUM.2021. \u201cPromising Practices for Engaging Local Faith Actors to Promote COVID\u201019 Vaccination: Lessons Learned From Four Countries: Ghana Indonesia Sierra Leone and Uganda.\u201d USAID MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership.https:\/\/pdf.usaid.gov\/pdf_docs\/PA00ZQDT.pdf."},{"key":"e_1_2_9_26_1","unstructured":"National Bureau of Statistics [NBS] and United Nations Children's Fund [UNICEF].2022. \u201cMultiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2021 Survey Findings Report.\u201d National Bureau of Statistics and United Nations Children's Fund."},{"key":"e_1_2_9_27_1","unstructured":"National Population Commission [NPC] (Nigeria) and ICF International.2019.Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. NPC and ICF International."},{"key":"e_1_2_9_28_1","unstructured":"National Population Commission [NPC] (Nigeria) and ORC Macro.2004.Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2003. NPC and ORC Macro."},{"key":"e_1_2_9_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4103\/aam.aam_22_20"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4314\/ahs.v11i3"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/00469580221086914"},{"issue":"2","key":"e_1_2_9_32_1","first-page":"51","article-title":"It Was Never an Option Not to Breastfeed\u2019: Exploring Breastfeeding Experiences and Intentions of Multigravidae in Southern Nigeria","volume":"21","author":"Ogbonna M. I.","year":"2018","journal-title":"African Journal for the Psychological Studies of Social Issues"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12978-020-00997-6"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_34_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s12144-020-01064-w"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_35_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13006-018-0182-9"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_36_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijans.2020.100267"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(22)01932-8"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_38_1","unstructured":"Pew Research Center.2018. \u201cChapter 3: How Religious Commitment Varies by Country Among People of all Ages.\u201d Age Gap in Religion Around the World Report September 2024.https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/religion\/2018\/06\/13\/how-religious-commitment-varies-by-country-among-people-of-all-ages\/."},{"key":"e_1_2_9_39_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/cdev.13244"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_40_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/mcn.13524"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_41_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2019-032835"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_42_1","unstructured":"UNICEF.2018.Breastfeeding. A Mother's Gift for Every Child. UNICEF."},{"key":"e_1_2_9_43_1","unstructured":"UNICEF.2021. \u201cUNICEF Conceptual Framework.\u201dhttps:\/\/www.unicef.org\/documents\/conceptual-framework-nutrition."},{"issue":"2","key":"e_1_2_9_44_1","first-page":"191","article-title":"Social Media Influence on Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Expecting Mothers in Port Harcourt","volume":"17","author":"Uwalaka T.","year":"2020","journal-title":"Nigerian Journal of Communication (TNJC)"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_45_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(15)01024-7"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_46_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12939-021-01432-3"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_47_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/2150131915622379"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_48_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization (WHO) & UNICEF.2003.Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding. World Health Organization."},{"key":"e_1_2_9_49_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization (WHO) & UNICEF.2014. \u201cGlobal Nutrition Targets 2025: Breastfeeding Policy Brief.\u201d (WHO\/NMH\/NHD\/14.7). World Health Organization."},{"key":"e_1_2_9_50_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization & United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).2023. \u201cGlobal Breastfeeding Scorecard 2023: Rates of Breastfeeding Increase Around the World Through Improved Protection and Support.\u201d World Health Organization.https:\/\/iris.who.int\/handle\/10665\/375796."}],"container-title":["Maternal &amp; Child Nutrition"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1111\/mcn.70050","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,23]],"date-time":"2025-09-23T13:39:08Z","timestamp":1758634748000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/mcn.70050"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,17]]},"references-count":49,"journal-issue":{"issue":"4","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,10]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1111\/mcn.70050"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/mcn.70050","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["1740-8695","1740-8709"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1740-8695","type":"print"},{"value":"1740-8709","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,17]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2024-09-30","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2025-05-02","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2025-06-17","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}],"article-number":"e70050"}}