DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF COMFORTABLE GARMENTS FOR BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS IN MAKURDI METROPOLIS, BENUE STATE.

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to identify problems encountered by breastfeeding mothers emanating from garment, appropriate garment designs for breastfeeding mothers, to identify and develop appropriate prototype breastfeeding garments for comfort, fit and acceptability by breastfeeding mothers. Three research questions guided the study. The study adopted the Survey Research, Research and Development (R&D) to collate the data needed for analysis and the construction of prototype garments. The population of the study comprised of 519 breastfeeding mothers registered in five (5) Government hospitals in Makurdi metropolis between 21st March and 26th April, 2016. A sample of 226 breastfeeding mothers was proportionally selected from the five hospitals. The findings of the study revealed that Dresses without easy access to breast make the babies frustrated during breastfeeding; the silhouette of garments can determine breastfeeding in some place; dresses with openings and closures positioned at the back inconvenience the breastfeeding exercise. The study also identified the garment styles preferred by Breastfeeding Mothers: The Buba and the Tight Fitted Garment were most highly accepted among breastfeeding mothers; while the 2 Piece Garment, Loose Fitted Garment and Gown were highly accepted. The study concluded that the extent to which a designed and constructed garment would be acceptable is directly related to its comfortability, fit and concealment features. The study suggested that a further research be carried out on the Impact of Breastfeeding garments on Exclusive Breastfeeding