An observational study on breast feeding Success among postnatal mothers

Abstract

Abstract Background: Under modern health care, human breast milk is considered the healthiest form of milk for babies. It also promotes the health of both mother and infant and helps to prevent disease.1 WHO states that, the vast majority of mothers can and should breast feed, just as the vast majority of infants can and should be breast fed.5 Purpose: The current study has aimed to determine the breastfeeding success among postnatal mothers. Methods: A descriptive survey approach was conducted on 50 postnatal mothers who were in the postnatal wards of a selected hospital. Observational checklist with 26 items were utilized to collect data. Results: Through descriptive analysis it was found that majority (44%) of mothers were in the age group of 20 – 25 years. Majority (68%) were Hindus. In type of delivery 84% had full term normal delivery. With regards to parity, 44% were multis. In relation to sex of the baby, 68% were females. The condition of the mother and the baby after delivery was good and normal in 100%. An observational checklist on breastfeeding success shows that the success rate on breastfeeding was high. There were 4 items such as getting ready to feed, Latching on, Feed itself and after feed and each item had 4 to 8 specific items on observational checklists on breastfeeding which indicates that in most of the mothers breastfeeding was a success. By inferential statistics it was found that type of delivery is associated with breast feeding (P < 0.05). Since all other p values are more than 0.05 there was no association between those selected demographic variables with breast feeding at 5% level of significance. Conclusion:Breast feeding is an age-old practice among most of the post-natal mothers to feed their young ones. In India, most of the mothers, practice giving breast milk to babies for about 1 to 2 years. Assistance by the health workers is not much sought as most of the bystanders assist the mothers in breast feeding. In the present study also, we have come across mothers successfully breastfeeding their babies and they are contented.