A Study on Knowledge Attitude and Practices of Postnatal Mothers about Breastfeeding and related Problems in Newborns

  • Balaji Bhusan Patnaik Associate Professor, Pediatrics, NRIIMS, Visakhapatnam, A.P, India
  • Manoj Kumar Mukkala Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, NRIIMS, Visakhapatnam, A.P, India
  • Jagannadh Karthik Putrevu Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, NRIIMS, Visakhapatnam, A.P, India
  • Lokesh Katari Post Graduate, Pediatrics, NRIIMS, Visakhapatnam, A.P, India
  • Narendra Kumar Pulapa Post Graduate, Pediatrics, NRIIMS, Visakhapatnam, A.P, India
  • Sri Satya Manasa Kakani Post Graduate, Pediatrics, NRIIMS, Visakhapatnam, A.P, India
  • Shravani Levidi Post Graduate, Pediatrics, NRIIMS, Visakhapatnam, A.P, India
Keywords: Breastfeeding, knowledge, attitude, practices

Abstract

Introduction: Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age and latercontinuation of breastfeeding up to 2 yrs is an essential component of an infant's nutrition.Breastfeeding rates are far less in India owing to poor knowledge, misconceptions and local socio-cultural practices. Knowledge, attitude, and practices studies regarding breastfeeding amongmothers in India are limited. Present study can be a means to assess above domains and to modifypractices towards a positive change.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on postnatal mothersover three months using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis is done by descriptivestatistics like percentages of positive and negative responses using Microsoft Excel.

Results: Around48% of participant mothers know that exclusive breastfeeding needs to be given up to age of 6months, and 46.6% of members have knowledge that breastfeeding should be continued up to 2yrsof age along with complementary foods. Around 61.8% felt that formula-fed babies are morehealthy than breastfed ones. About 22.8% of them were given formula milk in addition tobreastfeeding. A meagre (4.2%) number of them did not give breastfeeding at all.

Conclusion: Ourcurrent study reflects some gaps in knowledge and needs to modify some attitudes and practicesabout breastfeeding and related practices, but improvement observed compared to past studies.Overall there is a need to strengthen Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative further.

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Author Biography

Manoj Kumar Mukkala, Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, NRIIMS, Visakhapatnam, A.P, India

Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics

References

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How to Cite
Balaji Bhusan Patnaik, Manoj Kumar Mukkala, Jagannadh Karthik Putrevu, Lokesh Katari, Narendra Kumar Pulapa, Sri Satya Manasa Kakani, & Shravani Levidi. (2022). A Study on Knowledge Attitude and Practices of Postnatal Mothers about Breastfeeding and related Problems in Newborns. Pediatric Review: International Journal of Pediatric Research, 8(6), 256-261. Retrieved from https://pediatrics.medresearch.in/index.php/ijpr/article/view/708
Issue
Vol 8 No 6 (2021): Nov-Dec
Section
Original Article

Copyright (c) 2022 Author (s). Published by Siddharth Health Research and Social Welfare Society

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