Factors Affecting Breastfeeding in Early Postnatal Period in Tertiary Care Centre

Background: Breastfeeding is a learnt skill. Most mothers if encouraged and counseled can successfully breastfeed. Aims and Objectives: To aim of the study is to identify the factors related to difficulty in breastfeeding to mothers and baby in early postpartum period. Materials and Methods: This observational study was carried out between August 2017 to December 2019, on 292 mothers-baby pairs were randomly selected. Data was collected through questionnaire and qualitative data was presented as frequency and percentage and analyzed by chi-square test. Quantitative data was presented as mean and SD and compared to t-test. Results: The mean age of women in the present study was 21 to 25 years. The majority of women were illiterate (87%), living in joint family (54%), belonged to lower socioeconomic status (34%), were multipara (55%) and were housewives (86%). The main factors indicating difficulties to initiate breastfeeding were inappropriate positioning (45%), delayed milk production (33%), and breast disorders (32%). The main neonatal factors associated with breastfeeding problems were problem with latching/sucking and positioning (33%). Conclusion: A thorough health education campaign aimed at educating lactating mothers on need to practice EBF should address the identified factors.