A Survey on Mothers' Perception of Breastfeeding

Jung, Ji Hye; Lee, Keun

Abstract

PURPOSE: The objective of this investigation was to identify the postpartum change in breastfeeding rate and mothers' perception of breastfeeding. The investigation was carried out to make plans for the education of mothers regarding breastfeeding.
METHODS
Total of 284 mothers, who delivered healthy full-term babies at Dongdaemun Hospital, Medical College, Ewha Womans University, were interviewed and asked to complete a questionnaire on breastfeeding during their postpartum stays in the hospital. They were contacted by telephone 1, 2 and 3 months after delivery and asked similar questions regarding feeding of the babies.
RESULTS
At the time of delivery, 99.6% of mothers planned breastfeeding, including 54.2% of exclusive breastfeeding, and only 0.4% formula feeding. The duration of breastfeeding planned was mostly for 4 to 6 months. Persons who recommended breastfeeding to mothers were mostly a family member with doctors scarcely advising breastfeeding. Between 1 month and 3 months after delivery, exclusive breastfeeding rate was sustained at 28%, but a large number of mothers who partially breastfed their babies initially changed to formula feeding. The reasons for discontinuation of breastfeeding were the insufficient milk(52%), returning to work(12-18%), etc.
CONCLUSION
Breastfeeding education programs should not only include antenatal plans for exclusive breastfeeding, but also focus on support for breastfeeding to those partially breastfeeding mothers, since the failure to breastfeed occurs mainly within the first month after delivery.