A prospective study identifying breast-feeding problems in lactating mothers in a tertiary care hospital

There are numerous benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies and the community. However, many mothers discontinue breastfeeding because of the problems they encounter. The objective of this study was to find out the problems feeding mothers frequently face in the first 6 months after delivery and if feasible, correct them.

300 postpartum mothers took part in a prospective study from July to December 2023 at a tertiary care center.

In the present study, 135 (45%) subjects had delivery by cesarean section, 15 (5%) had an operative vaginal delivery, and 150 (50%) had a vaginal delivery. Sixty-six (22%) subjects initiated breastfeeding the baby within 2 hours of delivery; 213 (71%) subjects did it between 2 and 6 hours after delivery; 18 (6%) subjects did so between 6 and 24 hours after delivery. 216 babies (72%) had improper latching, 99 babies (33%) babies sleep while sucking, 24 babies (8%) had oral thrush, 27 babies (9%) had vomiting after feeding, 60 babies (20%) were low birth weight, while no baby (0%) had cleft lip. Eighteen mothers (6%) had sore nipples, 15 mothers (5%) complained of shooting pain during breastfeeding, 198 mothers (66%) had short or retracted nipples, 21 mothers (7%) had inadequate milk, 9 mothers (3%) had engorged breasts, while 3 mothers (1%) had mastitis.

Improper latching due to short nipples is the most common problem. Education will minimize most of the feeding problems.