An Exploratory Study to Identify the Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Practices among Mothers with Caesarean Section Delivery

Introduction: The study was conducted to explore the factors affecting Breastfeeding practices among mothers with Caesarean section delivery in selected maternity hospitals of Anand-Kheda district, Gujarat.

Objectives: 1) To identify the factors affecting breastfeeding practices among mothers with Caesarean section delivery. 2) To verify the existence of an association between breastfeeding practices and socio demographic variables.

Research Methodology: Research design of the study was Non-Experimental Descriptive Exploratory Design. The study employed Non-probability Consecutive sampling technique to recruit a sample of 100 women. The tool used in the study were demographic questionnaire, obstetric data, breastfeeding data and breastfeeding practice assessment by using standardized Jenson, Wallace, Kelsay’s “LATCH SCALE.” Validity of the tool was assessed by the 7 experts. Reliability of the tool was 0.76 and ascertained by using Karl Pearson’s co-relation coefficient formula. The result of the study is analysed on the basis of frequency as the values do not fit in the criteria of normal distribution, thus, the result is not generalized.

Results: On analyses, it was found that the factors which may affect the breastfeeding practice in mothers with caesarean section deliveries included preterm delivery of the baby (74%), mothers whose babies were admitted to NICU (28%), breastfeeding initiation in more than 6 hours (46%), mothers who had severe incision pain (21%). Moreover, babies who did not have skin to skin contact with their mother (15%) and also who were given pre-lacteal feed (26%) contributed to the factors that affected. Many factors which were found to improve the practice included the mothers who had proper antenatal care (48%), mother whose baby met her in less than 1 hour (46%) and initiated breastfeeding in that same time. Family support to breastfeed (75%) also lent towards good practice. The findings indicated that demographic variable paternal education (calculated value=23.33; table value=15.51) shows the significant association with breastfeeding practice.

Conclusion: The study suggests that, preterm delivered baby, admission of baby in NICU, more time in the recovery room, severe incision pain, lack of skin-to-skin contact, availability of pre-lacteal feed and lack of support from the maternity ward staff were perpetuated breastfeeding practices in mothers with Caesarean section delivery in this particular study.