Background: Breastfeeding is a concerning demand to the whole community not only for mothers and infants. The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life. So mothers' knowledge toward breast feeding are critical issue.

Objective: to assess lactating mothers' knowledge and practice toward exclusive breastfeeding

Methods: This study is a cross sectional study conducted on 261 mothers attending Awlad saqr center and unit. Data was collected by using semi structured questionnaire. The mothers included in the study were in third trimester till three months post natal coming for breast feeding counseling service or other health care services e.g. (vaccination, family planning, antenatal and postnatal visits).

Results: The study r3edxx,mmmmmmmmmevealed that mothers practiced exclusive breast feeding was 191 (73.2%) mothers. Sufficient knowledge level was reported in 45.2% of participants. Mothers' intension for exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months was 86.2%. The significant predictors for sufficient knowledge detected by logistic multivariate analysis were being housewives, receiving high education, counseling in previous and current pregnancy significantly increase opportunity of sufficient knowledge by 2.31, 18.67, 2.04 and 6.3 respectively.

Conclusion: Although the percent of participants who reported exclusive breastfeeding was accepted, there was an inadequacy of knowledge about breastfeeding in general and about correct feeding practice. Educated mothers, frequent ANC visits and having counseling sessions are associated with good knowledge. Counseling sessions for mothers about EBF needs to be enhanced to improve counseling services during antenatal and post natal care visits.