Investigation of breastfeeding cognition, attitude and knowledge demand for pregnant women with the second child

Abstract

Objective To provide the basis for health education by investigation of breastfeeding cognition, feeding pattern, attitude and knowledge for pregnant women with the second child. Methods Using a self-designed general information and breastfeeding knowledge questionnaire, a total of 198 pregnant women with second child who admitted from September 2015 to March 2016 and registered in-patient clinic received the investigation. Results Cognitive scores of second pregnant women with breastfeeding were in the range of 0-20 points with average score (7.25±5.62) points, which was at a low level; top 3 ordinal breastfeeding knowledge sources were mother and other relatives, international circle of friends and health education from postpartum medical staff. The desired pathway to obtain knowledge in turn were health education from postpartum medical staff, hospital issued promotional text information, prenatal outpatient breast feeding counseling, and pregnant women school, etc. Different feeding ways for the first child: exclusive breastfeeding rate was 38.3%; mixed feeding rate was 48.4%; artificial feeding rate was 13.1%; the breastfeeding rate was 86.8%. About 39.3% subjects experienced breastfeeding for more than 6 months with a good attitude, confidence for breastfeeding (88.3%) and willing to breastfeed (95.9%). Conclusions Second pregnant women′s perception of breastfeeding situation is not optimistic, which indicate promoting breastfeeding work is urgently needed. Medical staff should carry out a variety of forms, effective breastfeeding during pregnancy health education in timely. Key words: Breastfeeding; Cognition; Attitude; Second pregnant woman