Comparison of Breastfeeding Support Perceptions Between Postpartum Mothers and Health Care Personnel in Public Hospital

Abstract

Breastfeeding support increases the confidence of breastfeeding mothers who have a positive impact on the achievement of exclusive breastfeeding. Still, there are many breastfeeding mothers who have not received optimal support. This is caused by differences in perception between breastfeeding mothers and health workers. This research was a descriptive study comparing the perceptions of breastfeeding support in postpartum mothers and health care workers. A total of 197 postpartum mothers and 37 health workers in the postpartum ward of the Banyumas district hospital, Central Java, filled out the questionnaire containing questions related to breastfeeding support. The results of this study showed 85.7% of postpartum mothers reported to be taught breastfeeding techniques and this was done by 100% of health workers. Eighty six percent of postpartum mothers received early breastfeeding initiation, 50.3% were performed in the first hour after delivery, and 97.3% stated this procedure was introduced by 97.3% of health workers. Fifty one percent of postpartum mothers received information about the signs of the baby had enough milk, and 97.3% of health workers claimed to provide this information. More than 50% of postpartum mothers did not ask for breastfeeding assistance, while 100% of health workers claimed to have provided breastfeeding assistance. Fifty three percent of postpartum mothers were given information on the presence of breastfeeding volunteers, and 70.3% of health workers provided this information. Thirty nine of postpartum mothers acquired information about breastfeeding counseling facilities and only 64.9% of health workers delivered this information. Conclusion: There is a gap in perception of breastfeeding support between postpartum mothers and health workers.

The Relationship between Psychological Stress with Breastfeeding Frequency and Breastmilk Volume during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…As a result, stress management in breastfeeding mothers is a critical action that needs to be conducted by mothers, families, and healthcare providers. This is because breastfeeding support increases the confidence of breastfeeding mothers and has a positive impact on achieving exclusive breastfeeding (Kartikasari et al, 2020).…”