Problems of breastfeeding initiation after caserean delivery

Objective: This research was carried out to determine the problems experienced in initiating breastfeeding after cesarean section. Material and Methods: The research was cross-sectional-analytical, with 260 women who had a cesarean section at Denizli State Hospital between 09 December 2019 and 09 December 2020. The data of the study were collected by face-to-face interview method using the "Descriptive Information Form" prepared by the researcher, the LATCH Breastfeeding Diagnostic Scale and the Breastfeeding Attitude Assessment Scale. Data were evaluted by IBM SPSS Statistics 22 program. Descriptive statistics were expressed as number, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Data were analysed by Independent groups t test and Mann Whitney U test, one-way analysis of variance, kruskal Wallis test, pearson and spearman correlation analysesand multiple regression analyses. Results: Of the 260 mothers who participated in the study, 145 (55.8%) reported problems in breastfeeding. Breastfeeding problems experienced by mothers were as fallows; no milk (52.4%), post-cesarean pain (31.7%), uncomfortable breastfeeding position (21.4%), flat/sunken nipple (14.5%), not getting help from midwife (2.8%), and other problems (%.7,6). The total score range of the mothers on the LATCH Breastfeeding Diagnostic Scale is 3.50-9.50, with an average of 7.21±1.27. The BAAS score was in the range of 67.00-176.00, with an average of 118.70±19.30. Conclusion: These data suggested that the majority of mothers have problems in initiating breastfeeding after cesarean section. Mothers with low breastfeeding success and negative breastfeeding attitudes have many problems than others. Breastfeeding success can be increased and breastfeeding initiation problems can be reduced by providing midwifery interventions in order for mothers to have positive breastfeeding attitudes. Keywords: Breastfeeding Problems, Cesarean Delivery, Initiation Breastfeeding, Midwife.