The effect of breast-feeding positions on the breast-feeding success

This study was implemented quasi-experimentally for the purpose of examining the effect of breast-feeding positions used in the early postpartum period after c-section on mother's breast-feeding success, breast-feeding durations, satisfaction levels, nipple and incision pain. The study was carried out in the adult intensive care and postpartum ward at buca maternity and child health Hospital between 01/12/2017-30/03/2018. Study sample consisted of 67 primipara mothers who had undergone a c-section with spinal anesthesia at the hospital between the aforementioned dates, met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. The mothers who participated in the study were made breastfeed within the first 30 minutes in the Adult Intensive Care and they were examined in terms of nipple problems. The mothers received breast-feeding training about cradle hold and football hold positions in the Postpartum ward. The first breast-feeding positions were determined by lot. They used the other position in their second breast-feeding. In the study, the data were collected using "Mother and Infant Introduction Form", "LATCH Assessment Tool", "Breast-Feeding Duration and Satisfaction Form" and "Verbal Rating Scales for Nipple and Incision Pain" which were prepared by the researcher and also conducting face-to-face interviews and observations. The data were evaluated using; number, percentage, mean, standard deviation values, power analysis, Shapiro-Wilk test, McNamer-Bowker test, Paired Sample t test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Age average of the mothers who participated in the study was 25,68±5,7 years. 97,0% of the mothers had conceived willingly and 34,3% trained breast-feeding. The cradle hold position was found to be known by the mothers the best (94%). The LATCH score of breast-feeding success was found to be 8.71±1.05 in the cradle hold position and 8,00±1,11 in the football hold position. It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the LATCH scores of breast-feeding success according to breast-feeding positions of the mothers (p<0,05). The LATCH score was higher in the cradle hold position than the football hold position. The LATCH score was found to be equal for 30 mothers in both positions. The average breast-feeding duration was found to be 11.5±4,05 minutes in the cradle hold position and 10.5±4.24 minutes in the football hold position. It was determined that there was no statistically significant difference between the mothers' average breast-feeding durations according to breast-feeding positions (p>0,05). When examined mothers' satisfaction levels; 37,3% of the mothers stated that they were "moderately satisfied" with the football hold position and 35,8% "strongly satisfied" with the cradle hold position. It was determined that there was no statistically significant difference between the mothers' satisfaction levels according to breast-feeding positions (p>0,05). It was determined that the mothers had not experienced any nipple pain before and after breast-feeding. It was observed that the cradle hold position increased their incision pain, whereas there was no change in the severity of incision pain before and after breast-feeding in the football hold position. According to the study results, mothers had higher breastfeeding success score in the cradle holding position in breastfeeding and they had a significant effect on LATCH breastfeeding success score and they did not experience nipple pain. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the breastfeeding positions and breastfeeding times and satisfaction levels. In the light of these information; it is recommended to teach all breast-feeding positions routinely during antenatal breast-feeding trainings, show the positions and allow the mother to choose, provide consultancy to the mother again during the follow-ups and whenever needed in the postpartum period, plan different studies to determine the effectiveness of other positions used in breast-feeding and conduct studies comparing mothers who have and have not trained breast-feeding positions.