Post-partum Hospital Stay and Mothers' Choices on Breastfeeding and Vaccines: A Chance We Should Not Miss

Abstract

Parents' education and knowledge regarding major topics of children's health, such as nutrition and vaccines, have a paramount role. However, breastfeeding rates in first year of life are lower than recommended, and vaccine hesitancy is progressively spreading. To reverse this harmful trend, healthcare professionals are challenged to promote correct health information. This study aimed to assess newly mothers' knowledge of breastfeeding and vaccinations, and education received on both topics during hospital stay. We performed a cross-sectional survey in the Postnatal Unit of our Center. Mothers of full-term babies with a birthweight >2,500 g were enrolled. Two different questionnaires, one about breastfeeding and one about vaccines, were proposed to the 140 enrolled mothers. Ninety-nine percent of mothers enrolled were aware of breastfeeding benefits, and 92% felt adequately supported by maternity staff. Less than 25% stated to have received sufficient information regarding breastfeeding. Only 20% of mothers received information about vaccines during hospital stay. Healthcare providers were identified as primary, secondary, and tertiary source of information on vaccines by 55, 15, and 30% of mothers, respectively. Healthcare professionals are crucial in informing and educating mothers on breastfeeding and vaccinations. Post-partum hospital stay could be the right time for this critical responsibility.

Pilot Feasibility Study of a Hospital-Based Post-Natal Educational Intervention on New Mothers in a BFHI-Compliant Tertiary Referral Center for Neonatal Care

“…The in-hospital immediate postpartum period was considered by Gao et al [ 25 ] a significant time for healthcare workers to give professional support to mothers for establishing exclusive breastfeeding. Indeed, the post-partum hospital stay offers a valuable “window of opportunity” for parental education [ 26 , 27 ], since, during this short period of time, mothers are generally eager to learn as much as they can about newborn care. However, brief postpartum hospital stays (at our hospital, the mean hospital stay for mothers of healthy newborns varies from 2 or 3 to 5 days, according to mode of delivery, vaginal vs. cesarean section, respectively) often leave insufficient time for healthcare professionals to address a new mother’s learning needs effectively.…”