Breast Feeding Problems in Primipara Mothers in Early Postnatal Period

Abstract

Background: Human milk is the ideal and unique food for infants'. It is the sole source of nutrition for the first six months of life with continued intake for the first year and as long as desired thereafterAim of study: To identify breast feeding problems in primipara mothers in early postnatal period.Subjects and methods: Two hundred fifty one mothers, primipara in early postnatal period attending Al-Yermouk Teaching Hospital– Baghdad Iraq were enrolled in this study, during the period from June 2009 – March 2010, all the mothers were subjected to questions about their basic knowledge of breast feeding (BF) and any health education received during antenatal care visits Nursing mothers were observed for mistakes of mothers during BF their complaints.Results: The age of the mothers in this study range between 15-40, most of them were house wives (85.4%),& from urban area(`83.7%), the results of this study showed lacking of antenatal education of primigravida about BF only 8% of mothers received BF education reflecting real BF problems especially in early postnatal period which is critical period in starting &continuation of BF. Among these problems, mother had no experience to put the baby in the right position or latch on (27.5%), refusal of baby to breast fed (21.9%) & believing that she has inadequate milk (19.5%).Conclusion: : Lack of health education about BF during antenatal visits was very clear in this study & this represents problem which leading to failure of establishment & continuation of B.F ,in addition to different problems. Key Word: Primipara postnatal problems breastfeeding