Breastfeeding Research Articles

Intensify public awareness of direct breastfeeding for healthful generation: Community support strategies

Direct breastfeeding plays a crucial role in developing a healthy and high-quality generation. Despite its scientifically proven benefits, awareness and practice of direct breastfeeding in society remain suboptimal. This study aims to analyze strategies for increasing public awareness about the importance of direct breastfeeding and identify factors influencing successful breastfeeding practices. The method used is a systematic literature review analyzing various direct breastfeeding research published in the last decade. The results show that low direct breastfeeding rates are influenced by several key factors, including lack of understanding about breast milk benefits, minimal family and workplace support, and circulation of misconceptions about breastfeeding. Effective awareness programs need to involve various stakeholders, including healthcare workers, community leaders, and mass media. Recommended interventions include prenatal education about direct breastfeeding benefits, formation of breastfeeding support groups at the community level, breastfeeding skills training for pregnant and nursing mothers, and policy advocacy supporting breastfeeding practices in the workplace. The comprehensive and sustainable implementation of these strategies is expected to increase public awareness about the importance of direct breastfeeding, ultimately contributing to the development of a healthier, smarter, and higher-quality future generation.

Neurodevelopmental and Growth Follow-Up of an Infant Exposed to Rosuvastatin by Lactation: A Case Report.

Background: Usage of some medications while breastfeeding is supported with many clinical studies and proven to be safe for the mother-infant dyad, whereas knowledge on many medications' safety depends on pharmacokinetic data that are supported with only case series of real-life results. As data on rosuvastatin usage are limited, we present our case report with safe use of rosuvastatin in a breastfeeding mother of a 13-month-old infant. Case: Pretreatment assessments of the infant were performed. Complete blood count, kidney, and liver function tests were normal. The infant's lipid profile was evaluated before starting the mother's treatment, at 1 month of treatment, and at the fifth month of treatment in which the infant reached 18 months of age. All three evaluations resulted in normal ranges. At the 18-month follow-up of the infant of breastfeeding mother using rosuvastatin, no issues were detected in the child's development. Conclusions: In order for mothers with hypercholesterolemia not to neglect their own treatment while continuing to breastfeed, case reports should be included in the literature. In this case, it was shown that rosuvastatin treatment given to the mother did not affect the lipid profile and neurological development of the baby.

Breastfeeding with primary low milk supply: a phenomenological exploration of mothers’ lived experiences of postnatal breastfeeding support

BackgroundMost women can produce enough milk to exclusively breastfeed. However, a small cohort are prevented from doing so due to a condition known as primary low milk supply. The aim of the study was to provide new insights into how mothers with this condition experience help and support from professionals, volunteer support groups, and partners.MethodsInterpretative phenomenological analysis was used to explore the lived experiences of nine first-time breastfeeding mothers in Ireland who had primary low milk supply. One-hour interviews were conducted over Zoom between April and October 2021.ResultsBeing with Others, one of four superordinate themes identified in this study, concerns the participants’ experiences of receiving professional, voluntary, and partner breastfeeding support. Four sub-themes were identified: Disconnected Encounters, Perceiving Judgement from Others, Being in a Safe Space and Having a Saviour. The encounters of participants with healthcare professionals revealed a lack of rapport, intrusive hands-on support, poor perceived quality of breastfeeding support and a heightened sensitivity to language and tone. Participants expressed that they valued empathy and emotional support from lactation professionals as much as they valued skilled lactation support. Furthermore, participants appeared to experience an enhanced motherhood self-identity and self-acceptance through seeing their experiences mirrored in the experiences of other mothers with primary low milk supply in specialist low milk supply-specific support groups.ConclusionThe interactions that mothers with primary low milk supply have with various others in their world (healthcare professionals, lactation consultants, volunteer breastfeeding supporters, and partners) can shape how they view themselves and can have a profound impact on their breastfeeding journey. There is a need for greater knowledge and understanding among healthcare professionals of the phenomenon of primary low milk supply so that women suspected of having the condition may receive appropriate support. Where possible, mothers with primary low milk supply should be directed to specialist breastfeeding support groups.

Clinical validation of the nursing diagnosis inadequate social support network in breastfeeding mothers: A cross-sectional study.

To clinically validate the nursing diagnosis (ND) inadequate social support network in breastfeeding mothers. This cross-sectional quantitative study employed clinical indicator accuracy analysis and hierarchical modeling for the etiological factors of the ND inadequate social support network. The study included 285 breastfeeding mothers registered in primary healthcare units. The most prevalent clinical indicators within the sample were deficit in instrumental support from health services, imposition of appropriate behaviors, weak social bonds, and negative social interactions. The most frequent etiological factors were deficit in strong bonds, fragility of institutional network organization, unwillingness to provide support, refusal to provide support, and deficit in healthcare professionals. The ND inadequate social support network was clinically validated within the population of breastfeeding mothers, resulting in six clinical indicators with high sensitivity and specificity for identifying the diagnosis. Additionally, the statistical analysis of the etiological factors identified seven antecedents to the emergence of the diagnosis. Based on these findings, nurses can better assist breastfeeding mothers with the aim of preventing an inadequate social support network. By identifying this phenomenon, it becomes possible to plan care and implement nursing interventions to address this issue effectively.

Culturally appropriate terminologies in health research: a participatory study with pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in Uganda

Culturally appropriate terminologies in health research: a participatory study with pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in Uganda

Trends and determinants of exclusive and predominant breastfeeding practices for two decades (2000–2019) in Ethiopia

BackgroundEthiopia has had a long-standing national commitment to improving child health. However, evidence on trends in breastfeeding has remained fragmented, and there is a paucity of information on the impacts of breastfeeding policy on breast feeding practices and associated factors influencing it. This study examined trends and determinants of exclusive and predominant breastfeeding in the last two decades.MethodsThe study employed a retrospective observational design using Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS2000-2019) dataset for children aged <6 months and their mothers. Data analyses were performed via SPSS version 25. Trend analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used.ResultsExclusive and predominant breastfeeding practices have fluctuated inconsistently over the past two decades. Exclusive breastfeeding increased from 59.96% in 2000 to 66.01% in 2016 and then decreased to 59.86% in 2019. Predominant breastfeeding decreased from 40.04% in 2000 to 32.95% in 2016 and increased to 39.43% in 2019. Regional state, place of residence, and religion were significantly (p < 0.001) associated with the likelihood of practicing exclusive or predominant breastfeeding.ConclusionThese inconsistent trends and the complex interplay of various factors suggest the limited success of previous policies and strategies and highlight the need for further investigation and revisiting current policies for a more nuanced and targeted approach in future interventions.

Benefit of Lemongrass and lemon on Sleep Quality and Elimination Pattern of Postpartum Mothers

Every breastfeeding mother needs adequate sleep to maintain the quantity of breast milk produced. According to WHO, breastfeeding mothers need sleep breaks to avoid fatigue, stress, mood disorders, appetite disorders, and lack of concentration. Sleep problems and elimination patterns often affect the viability of breastfeeding mothers. Some experts recommend consuming lemongrass and lemon to improve sleep and elimination patterns. This research method is Quasi experiment with Case-control design. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of lemongrass and lemon on sleep quality and elimination patterns of post partum mothers. The results of data analysis using Chi-square showed that there was a relationship between the benefits of lemongrass and lemon drinks given with sleep quality and elimination patterns in postpartum mothers. This is evidenced by the mean value before and after being given herbal drinks. Where the mean value on sleep quality increased by 0.70 points while in the elimination pattern there was a mean increase of 0.67 points. Based on the results of the dependent T test, both variables obtained a p-value of 0.0001 or p < 0.05.

The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Breastfeeding Practices of Muslim Women.

Introduction: Many breastfeeding mothers fast during Ramadan month despite being exempted from fasting. This study aims to estimate the prevalence rate of Ramadan fasting during breastfeeding and detect its associated factors among Egyptian Muslim mothers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,130 lactating mothers selected through a multistage stratified random sampling technique in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire including sociodemographic data, the Arabic Scale of Intrinsic Religiosity (ASIR), and data about breastfeeding and fasting practices during Ramadan. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to detect the significant predictors of fasting among lactating mothers. Results: Of 1,130 study participants, more than half (53.5%) were aged ≥27 years old and had secondary education (54.6%). About four in every five (83.7%) of them fasted during Ramadan. Secondary education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.71, p ≤ 0.001), university and postgraduate education (AOR = 4.88, p ≤ 0.001), non-working (AOR = 1.88, p = 0.011), being in debt and just meeting routine expenses (AOR = 1.75, p = 0.007), having high intrinsic religiosity (AOR = 2.70, p ≤ 0.001), having infants aged 6 months and more (AOR = 2.60, p ≤ 0.001), giving prelacteal feeding (AOR = 2.56, p ≤ 0.001), giving supplements (AOR = 2.11, p ≤ 0.001), and breastfeeding on demand (AOR = 1.92, p = 0.01) were the significant predictors of the higher fasting rates among the lactating mothers. Conclusion: Fasting is a prevalent practice among breastfeeding mothers of infants during Ramadan. Ramadan fasting does not significantly influence maternal outcomes or infant weight. Therefore, it is advisable for lactating mothers to consult with healthcare professionals prior to deciding to fast during Ramadan.

Factors Associated with the Breastfeeding Aversion Response.

Background: The breastfeeding aversion response (BAR) is defined as the compulsion to remove the baby from the breast in response to negative physical sensations experienced during breastfeeding. This phenomenon is characterized by involuntary and overwhelming feelings of disgust that arise during breastfeeding or at various stages of the breastfeeding process. Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the frequency of BAR and affecting factors in mothers with breastfeeding experience in Türkiye. Methods: The survey was conducted online using the Google Forms® tool, accessible from November 2, 2023, to January 5, 2024. A total of 1,046 mothers with breastfeeding experience were included in the research. Results: A total of 9.8% (n = 103) of mothers participating in the study stated that they experienced BAR. Fatigue (23.3%), breastfeeding a toddler (19.4%), and breast pain (18.4%) were the most frequently reported risk factors for BAR. The BAR rate was higher among working mothers (p = 0.037), those lacking spousal support (p = 0.001), mothers diagnosed with postpartum depression (p = 0.009), and those encountering breastfeeding problems (p = 0.007). Conclusion: Further research on the factors that trigger BAR, its severity, and what symptoms it may cause may provide guidance on how midwives and nurses working with breastfeeding mothers can support these mothers, how to prevent BAR, and possible treatment options. The findings of our study revealed that BAR is especially affected by psychological processes. For this reason, it is recommended to approach breastfeeding in the postpartum period as a holistic experience that also includes psychological and sociocultural processes rather than solely from a physiological perspective.

Breastfeeding empowerment and its relationship with health literacy and spousal support among breastfeeding mothers in Tabriz, Iran: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundBreast milk is crucial for the health and survival of infants, but exclusive breastfeeding often fails due to various reasons such as lack of breastfeeding empowerment.ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine...

Practice Variability in Uptake and Implementation of New U.S. DHHS Guidelines for Feeding of HIV-Exposed Infants.

New U.S. guidelines support shared decision-making regarding breastfeeding for mothers living with HIV and their neonates. We surveyed Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society members about the implementation of these guidelines. We found heterogeneity in uptake, variability in clinical practice, and concerns about implementation. Future research should address these policy-practice gaps.

The Effect of White Noise and Recorded Lullaby during Breastfeeding on Newborn Stress, Mother's Breastfeeding Success, and Comfort: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The study was aimed at determining the effect of exposure to white noise and recorded lullaby during breastfeeding on newborn stress, mother's breastfeeding success, and comfort. This single-blinded and three-parallel group randomized controlled study consisted of mothers who had given birth and whose newborns were at a hospital in Turkey. Seventy-five participants completed the study. They were assigned to white noise, lullaby, and control groups in equal numbers. Each group included 25 women. The questionnaires included descriptive characteristics of mothers, the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool, the Newborn Stress Scale, and the Visual Analog Scale. During the breastfeeding process, the newborn and mother listened to white noise and lullaby for approximately 15min. The newborn stress and mothers' level of comfort were assessed before and after the interventions. The breastfeeding success of the mother assessed with the LATCH was completed within the first 15min of breastfeeding. The mean scores obtained from the Newborn Stress Scale by the mothers in the lullaby group and white noise group decreased significantly after the intervention. A significant difference was also observed in the control group. There were also significant differences between the changes in the mothers' comfort level of all groups. There were significant differences between the changes in the LATCH scores of the groups. Both white noise and recorded lullaby significantly reduced newborn stress, and increased mother's comfort in the early postpartum period. Music should be used as a nonpharmacological method to improve breastfeeding success in newborns.

Bangladeshi Female Graduate Doctors Leaving Medical Profession: A Real Threat to Health System or a Rumor

Background: Female graduate doctors represent a major part of health care/ educational services in Bangladesh. But a portion of female graduate doctors leaving their profession immediately or after sometimes of completion of their graduation, even some of them never registered themselves under Bangladesh Medical & Dental Council (BM&DC). Objective: This research aimed to find out percentages of female graduate doctors leaving medical profession and different reasons behind it. Methods: This cross sectional descriptive research was carried out in the Centre for Medical Education (CME), Mohakhali, Dhaka from July 2022 to June 2023. Data were collected through one self-administered semi-structured questionnaire among 500 female graduate doctors who got their registration from 2005-2020 and selected by convenient and snowball sampling. Results: Among 500 female graduate doctors, 428 (85.6%) were involved in different health care services and rest 72 (14.4%) were not involved and among rest 14.4%, about 10% never involved in health care services after completion of their graduation. When 72 respondents female graduate doctors who were not involved asked about their current professions, about one fourth (25%) mentioned they were doing ‘online businesses’, 15.02% were ‘purely housewife’ and 12.5% were ‘changing profession to others’. Among 72 respondents female graduate doctors, one third (33.33%) chose other profession for 'better income'. The most two common reasons for not involving were 'to care children' (39.7%) and 'absence of day care centers' (20.5%). Nearly half (45.5%) of the respondents chose 'establishment of day care / breast feeding centers' when they asked what strategies the government should take to utilize female work force effectively. Conclusions: Female graduate doctors who were not involved in health system mentioned different reasons behind their decisions and strategies require to be taken by the Government to overcome such conditions. BJME, Volume-16, Issue-01, January 2025: 15-25

Reasons, associated factors, and attitudes toward breastfeeding mothers’ use of complementary medicine products: a study from Türkiye

BackgroundThe use of Complementary Medicine Products (CMPs) has been increasing worldwide, including among breastfeeding mothers. This study aims to investigate the reasons and associated factors of CMP use among breastfeeding mothers in Turkey, alongside their attitudes and experiences.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, anonymous online survey between 17 December 2023 and 17 March 2024. Women from diverse regions across Türkiye, aged 18 years or older, with a child aged 36 months or younger, who were currently breastfeeding or had breastfed, were invited to participate in the survey.ResultsAmong 445 mothers who completed the survey, 334 (75.1%) reported using at least one CMP during breastfeeding, with vitamin D, iron supplements, and fennel being the most frequently used. Educational level, employment status, and being a health worker were found to be factors associated with CMP use during breastfeeding, with those having university or higher education, being employed, or working in healthcare showing higher usage rates. The most common reasons for CMP use were “staying healthy” (60.2%) and “supporting immunity” (59.3%). While 91.9% of mothers perceived at least one CMP they used as beneficial, 14.4% of mothers using CMPs experienced adverse effects with at least one product. Safety perceptions of mothers who used CMP varied, with 45.8% believing CMPs were generally safe during breastfeeding. Among CMP users, doctors were chosen as the most trusted (n = 310, 92.8%) information source. A majority of mothers (85.6%) reported that they would like to receive more information about the safety and effectiveness of CMPs.ConclusionsBreastfeeding mothers often use CMPs to stay healthy and support immunity. While healthcare providers are the most trusted source of information, many women get advice from family, friends, or herbalists, and some use CMPs without any recommendations. This underscores the importance of healthcare providers’ role in guiding mothers on the safe and informed use of both prescribed and self-prescribed CMPs.

Macronutrients in Human Milk Exposed to Antidepressant and Anti-Inflammatory Medications

The association between maternal medications and the macronutrient composition of human milk has not been studied. To compare macronutrient levels in milk samples from mothers treated with long-term medications with samples from untreated healthy and disease-matched control mothers (DMCs). A cross-sectional study using samples collected between October 2014 and January 2024 from breastfeeding mothers in the US and Canada invited to participate to the Mommy's Milk Human Milk Research Biorepository at the University of California, San Diego. Of 3974 samples from unique individuals in the biorepository, 310 were from mothers treated with 1 of 4 categories of medications, 151 from DMCs with the same underlying disorders, and 73 from healthy untreated mothers, frequency matched on infant age and sex. Of these, 150 were excluded because they had more than 1 medication exposure or were outliers. Data were analyzed from March to June 2024. Continuous treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoclonal antibodies (MABs), systemic steroids, and other anti-inflammatory drugs (ADs) in the 14 days before milk sample collection. Levels of protein, fat, carbohydrate, and total energy were measured with SpectraStar 2400 near infrared analyzer and compared across groups with analysis of covariance adjusted for infant and maternal age, parity, maternal body mass index, infant sex, exclusive breastfeeding, feeding frequency, collection time, maternal cannabis use, and occupation. A total of 384 samples were collected; 194 infants (50.5%) were female; the mean (SD) age of the maternal cohort was 33.5 (4.4) years, and infant age at collection was 6.6 (5.4) months. Mean (SD) protein levels were 15% to 21% lower in samples from exposed mothers (0.92 [0.56] g/100 mL for 63 SSRIs, 0.85 [0.51] g/100 mL for 63 MABs, 0.88 [0.37] g/100 mL for 33 steroids, and 0.85 [0.54] g/100 mL for 20 other ADs) compared with 64 samples from healthy mothers (1.08 [0.50] g/100 mL). Adjusted differences were significant for SSRIs and steroids (F1, 91 = 4.32; P = .04 and F1,59 = 5.00, P = 0.03, respectively). Mean (SD) fat and energy were 10% to 22% lower in samples from mothers with other ADs (3.40 [1.21] g/100 mL for fat and 69.56 [15.35] kcal/100 mL for energy) than from healthy (3.85 [1.66] g/100 mL for fat and 77.16 [22.08] kcal/100 mL for energy) and DMC (4.38 [1.90] g/100 mL for fat and 80.60 [24.70] kcal/100 mL for energy) mothers. Adjusted differences were only significant for fat compared with DMC (F1,88 = 6.22; P = .01). In this cross-sectional study, some maternal medications were associated with lower levels of protein and fat in milk, which could impose health risks for breastfed infants. Other factors that could influence macronutrient levels need to be clarified before the clinical implications of these findings can be confirmed.

Evaluation and adaptation of a two-way text messaging intervention in the WIC breastfeeding peer counseling program: A qualitative analysis.

Breastfeeding (BF) is vital for maternal and infant health, yet post-hospital discharge support remains a challenge. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides BF peer counseling prenatally and up to 1-year postpartum among low-income women in the United States. The Lactation Advice Through Texting Can Help (LATCH) intervention is an evidence-based two-way text messaging intervention that provides BF education and support in the WIC peer counseling program. The intervention is implemented by peer counselors (PCs) in the WIC program, with the supervision and support of a lactation consultant. The aim of this qualitative study was to assess the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of LATCH during the feasibility trial and to investigate strategies for adapting and scaling up the intervention. In-depth interviews with LATCH and PC program key informants aimed to evaluate the intervention and explore its adaptation and scale-up. Interviews were analyzed using line by line inductive thematic analysis. Findings were mapped to the Model for Adaptation Design and Impact (MADI) framework to describe the proposed adaptations, and to the Program Impact Pathways (PIP) framework to identify causal pathways and critical quality control points. Results demonstrate that LATCH facilitates continued engagement between PCs and WIC mothers; however, implementation feasibility issues remain. Suggested adaptations to LATCH include the use of an integrated comprehensive platform, ensuring continuity of care through an expanded spectrum of communication options, the need to develop a PC support model for "off hours" (non-business hours), and the need to obtain local WIC office management's buy-in for the communications platform and the off-hours PC model. Critical quality control points were identified when results were mapped to the MADI and PIP frameworks. Implementing these changes has the potential to expand access to BF peer counseling support and improve BF equity among low-income women.

Exploring the relationship between child temperament, maternal psychiatric symptoms, family environment and infant feeding.

Infant temperament is assumed to be primarily innate. However, newer research suggests that maternal affection impacts ratings of temperament and environmental factors, including feeding method, can also influence infant temperament. This study investigates child temperament and its relationships with maternal psychiatric symptoms, environmental variables and feeding method longitudinally in a cohort of children followed from 6 to 72 months. Differences in temperament by feeding group are also investigated. We hypothesized that maternal psychiatric symptoms, environmental stressors, and impaired family dynamics would have negative impact on child temperament, whereas breastfeeding would have a positive impact on child temperament. Mothers' ratings of child's temperament, own psychiatric symptomatology, environmental stresses and family cohesion were obtained in 504 mother-infant dyads via rating scales completed by mothers. Infants were breastfeed (BF), fed soy-based infant formula (SF) or dairy-based infant formula (MF). Linear mixed effect models investigated the relationship of variables on child's temperament while controlling for significant covariates and repeated measurements. Mothers in this study did not endorse clinical-level psychiatric symptomatology; however, when adjusted for significant covariates, higher psychiatric symptomatology significantly correlated with environmental stressors, impaired family dynamics and elevations in temperament ratings of infants' adaptability and mood. There were no lasting differences for temperament between feeding groups. However, some significant transient increases in rhythmicity and adaptability were found between SF and BF children. Positive relationships between family environment stressors and maternal psychiatric ratings were found. Transient differences were found in child temperament based upon feeding method.

Breastfeeding Attitudes and Milk Production of Mothers Staying in Single and Double Rooms after Birth: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study.

Background: There is limited evidence on whether the interaction of mothers staying in double rooms (DRs) in the hospital after birth affects breastfeeding attitudes and milk production. Research Aim: To compare the breastfeeding attitudes and milk production of mothers staying in a DR in the hospital after birth with mothers staying in a single room (SR). Materials and Methods: In the study, 181 mothers who gave birth at term were included. Of them, 92 stayed in SRs, and 89 stayed in DRs. The milk production and breastfeeding attitudes of the mothers were considered as dependent variables. Results: The mothers staying in SRs needed health care professional support more (83.7%) than did the mothers staying in DRs (71.9%; p < 0.05). Milk production was more in the mothers staying in SRs (χmean: 14.16 ± 3.34) than it was in the mothers staying in DRs (χmean: 10.13 ± 2.42; p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the breastfeeding attitudes of the participants in terms of the type of the room they stayed in. Conclusions: While most mothers prefer staying in a SR in terms of privacy and comfort, some mothers prefer staying in a multiple-bed room because social interactions they have positively affect their breastfeeding attitudes. Health care institutions may consider incorporating shared or DRs into their postpartum care protocols, which creates comfortable and supportive environments for breastfeeding mothers.

Effectiveness of Administration of Papaya Leaf Capsule Extract (Carica Papaya) and Moringa Leaves (Moringa Oleifera) on Increasing Prolactin Hormones in Breastfeeding Mothers

This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of administering papaya (Carica Papaya) and Moringa leaf (Moringa oleifera) capsule extracts on prolactin hormone levels in breastfeeding mothers in PMB M Palangka Raya City. The research used was Quasy Experimental, Two Group Pretest – Posttest design (two groups pretest – posttest). The sampling technique used was purposive sampling, with a total sample of 66 respondents who met or met the inclusion criteria. The statistical test used is the Independent T-test. Based on the significance results, the resulting Z statistic is -3.531 with a probability of 0.000. This means that probability &lt; significance level (alpha = 5%). Thus, it can be stated that there is a significant difference in the levels of the hormone prolactin in breastfeeding mothers in PMB M Palangka Raya City before and after administering Moringa leaf capsule extract.

EFEKTIVITAS PENYULUHAN TENTANG ASI EKSKLUSIF TERHADAP PERUBAHAN PENGETAHUAN IBU MENYUSUI DI WILAYAH KERJA UPTD PUSKESMAS PAHANDUT

Breast milk (ASI) is the main and best food for babies, because it contains many nutrients that babies need. Breast milk can protect babies from allergies, obesity, digestive tract infections and respiratory tract infections. Apart from that, breast milk can also shape the development of intelligence and emotional development, can increase the body's endurance and can reduce the risk of death in babies. This activity aims to determine the effectiveness of education about exclusive breastfeeding on changes in knowledge of breastfeeding mothers. The method used is quasi-experimental research (quasi-experimental design) using a one group pre-posttest design. Based on the results of the paired t test, the mean in the pre-test group was 64 and in the post-test group was 85 with a mean differential between the two groups of 15.1. The p value is 0.00, so the p value is &lt;0.05, so we get the difference in the average (mean) before and after the counseling about exclusive breastfeeding is given, so it can be interpreted that there is an influence of providing counseling about exclusive breastfeeding on the knowledge of breastfeeding mothers in the work area. Pahandut Health Center, Palangka Raya City.