Ankara Medical Journal (Mar 2020)
Evaluation of breastfeeding support center applications
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Feeding with breastmilk is the ideal way of baby feeding. In this study, we aimed to examine the available data of our breastfeeding support center and the mothers' breastfeeding attitudes. We believe that this study will allow further research to contribute to breastfeeding support. METHODS: This prospective study included 50 mothers and their babies who applied to our breastfeeding support center. The research data were obtained by data collection form questions and were evaluated by using ‘statistical package for the social sciences' (SPSS) 18 package program. RESULTS: The mean age of the mothers included in the study was 28 +- 6,23 and ranged between the ages of 16-40. Pregnancy number of the mothers was 3.71 +- 2.59 (min: 1- max: 12). 32% of the women had 4 or more living children. The mean number of abortions was 1.90 (min: 1- max: 8). The rate of delivery by normal spontaneous vaginal way was 1.86 +- 1.05 and this is higher than cesarean delivery rate (0.21 +- 1.05). 60% of the babies were boys and 40% were girls. The mean infant age was 2.83 +- 3.38 (min: 0- max: 16) weeks. The rate of breastfed infants was 20%. 62% of the babies received bottle feeding supplements in addition to breast milk. When the reasons for hospitalization of infants were examined; low respiratory infection rate was 42% (20% pneumonia, 22% bronchitis), preterm delivery rate was 24%, neonatal jaundice rate was 8%, urinary tract infection rate was 8% and anomaly rate was 2%. The mean hospitalization time of the infants was 16.5 days. 96% of the mothers had milk. On the test weighing, the average amount of milk that the babies sucked from their mother was 20 ml. The most common reason for voluntary outpatient care is the mothers' concerns about milk adequacy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The importance of breastfeeding is a well-known fact. Early and unnecessary starting of additional foods and methods other than breastfeeding should be avoided. The fact that newborn babies are separated from their mothers due to reasons such as hospitalization and treatment affects the breastfeeding behavior of the mother negatively. It was observed that mothers need breastfeeding support training during the long and difficult period of breastfeeding. There is a need for remedial arrangements for effective initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding.
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