A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Breastfeeding Positioning and Attachment among Mother Infant Pairs in Indore

Background: Breastfeeding is the act of milk conveyance from the mother to the infant. Adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is mandatory to ensure the growth, health, and development of children to their maximum potential. The positioning of the baby’s body is important for maintaining good attachment and successful breastfeeding. Aims and Objectives: The objectives are as follows: (1) To assess the sociodemographic characteristics, antenatal, and postnatal care (PNC) received by mothers, and (2) to assess the maternal and infant factors affecting positioning and attachment of breastfeeding. Materials and Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on randomly selected 200 inpatient department patients admitted in PNC ward of Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital Indore, using an observational checklist adopted from the World Health Organization – breastfeeding observation form. Maternal-related characteristics were collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. The study was conducted from September to November 2019. Descriptive summaries were done to present pertinent findings and a Chi-square test was used to check the association between variables. Ethical clearance from the college committee was taken. Written informed consent was taken from the participants. Results: There was poorer positioning among primipara mothers (38.75%) than multipara mothers (5.83%). A poor attachment was also observed among primipara mothers (31.25%) than the multipara (3.33%) mothers. Conclusion: Younger mothers (<20 years old), the primipara, and those who had lower education deserve more attention, support, and direction to proper positioning and attachment during breastfeeding at the first and early feeds. Key words: Breastfeeding, Primipara mothers, Multipara mothers