Mother’s knowledge about breastfeeding at the São Lucas’ Hospital in Juazeiro do Norte (CE)

Abstract

During human history the maternal process of breastfeeding has become less frequent. Numerous policies have been introduced worldwide to stop this unfavourable trend. The benefits of breastfeeding are well established. However, despite this fact, the rates of breastfeeding continue to be low. Maternal knowledge about breastfeeding influences on the initiation and duration of lactation. This study had the objective of investigating the mothers’ knowledge about breastfeeding. A cross-sectional study was designed involving 206 mothers of newborns on their first day of life while they were at the maternity hospital São Lucas (Juazeiro do Norte - Ceará). The mothers answered a standardized questionnaire to test their knowledge on breastfeeding. 32% were adolescent mothers and 60% had not completed elementary school. 61% received prenatal orientation about breastfeeding. 76% of the mothers knew that the optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding is six months. 91% knew about the protective effect of exclusive breastfeeding against infections. 32% of the mothers believed that their milk was watery. 62% did not know how to solve mammary engorgement. It is concluded that the majority (87%) of the mothers answered correctly the questions about breastfeeding, but continuous education over this theme for future mothers is still needed.