Abstract
Author(s): BogumiÅa KieÅbratowska, Krzysztof Preis
Introduction: WHO and American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations concern the exclusive breastfeeding of infants in the first six months of life. Currently, the natural breastfeeding is recognized as the optimal way to feed an infant which is emphasized in the majority of research studies. The purpose of the research was to assess the influence of the demand for medical personnel assistance on the natural breastfeeding process after the caesarian section. Materials and methods: The questionnaire – based survey has been carried out among women who gave birth in the period from August 2004 to March 2005. The questionnaire was given to 858 women after they gave birth in five hospitals in Pomorskie Region, selected at random. U Mann- Whitney test was employed for statistical analysis. Results:The majority of the surveyed women (67,5%) declared a demand for the medical personnel assistance to solve the problems in the early lactation period caused by: latching on problems (42,4%), insufficient milk production (33,3%), and in the subsequent days – sore nipples problems (58,8%). Only 7,7% women did not have any difficulties in breastfeeding. The majority of women (90%) were provided assistance with latching on, by the medical personnel at the beginning of breastfeeding. Findings: Preparation of women and assistance provided by medical personnel after caesarian section has been found out extremely significant in the lactation process.