Breastfeeding pattern in mothers who had problems in breastfeeding.

ABSTRACT

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to determine the exclusive breastfeeding rate in mothers who had problems in breastfeeding and were closely taken care by the well-trained breastfeeding team. The second purpose was to define the causes of non-exclusive breastfeeding. The third purpose was to compare the exclusive breastfeeding rate with the previous study of routine postpartum care. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted. From January to July 2005, there were 4,344 mothers delivered at Siriraj Hospital. 847 of them, mothers (19.5%) had the problems in breastfeeding, therefore, they were cared and supported to breastfeed their babies by well-trained clinicians either at a service ward or at a Lactation clinic. To obtain the data of method of feeding and the problems in breastfeeding, the subjects were contacted by phone during 7 days, 1, 4 and 6 months postpartum period. Results: The rates of the exclusive breastfeeding in 7 days, 1, 4 and 6 months during postpartum period in this study were 84.6%, 76%, 41% and 27.7%, respectively. The important problems of the breastfeeding were tongue tie of the infants and the short maternal nipples (57.5% and 31.6%, respectively). Compared with the previous study, in this study, breastfeeding lasted longer and had a higher rate. Conclusion: Successful breastfeeding would be achieved if mothers receive the continuous support from the care team and their families in detecting and solving the problems of breastfeeding in early period.