Breastfeeding Attachment and Positioning Technique, Practices, and Knowledge of Related Issues Among Mothers in a Resettlement Colony of Delhi

Abstract

Background. Breastfeeding confers benefits on both child and mother, including helping protect children against a variety of acute and chronic disorders. Mothers’ poor knowledge about the correct breastfeeding attachment and positioning technique and negative attitude toward breastfeeding, particularly in developing countries, may influence practice of effective breastfeeding. Thus, this study was conducted with the objective of assessing breastfeeding attachment and positioning technique, practices, and related knowledge among mothers. Study Design. A community-based survey. Setting. A resettlement colony consisting of 4 blocks having a population of 23 000. Participants. Two hundred mothers. Analysis. Data were analyzed using the software Epi-Info. Results. Fourteen percent of mothers were exclusively breastfeeding their babies. Colostrum was given to babies by 59% of the mothers. Only 25% of the mothers gave breast milk within 1 hour of their child’s birth. Majority of the mothers (74%) had not induced burping after breastfeeding. Some of the harmful practices observed were the following: (a) prelacteal feed was given in 84% and (b) artificial nipple (nipple-shaped pacifier) was given in 6% of the cases. Mothers had poor knowledge regarding feeding babies in certain situations such as low birth weight and hypothermia. They had incorrect knowledge of timing and frequency of breastfeeding. Only one fourth of the mothers knew about management of breastfeeding-related problems. Conclusion. Breastfeeding attachment and positioning technique and other related behaviors were found inadequate. There is an urgent requirement of demonstration of correct breastfeeding attachment and positioning technique by health care providers and behavior change among mothers and family members regarding feeding of babies.