Maternal Satisfaction and Comfort in Different Breastfeeding Positions

Mode of delivery, in particular cesarean delivery, is widely believed to affect breastfeeding adversely. It is very difficult to breastfeed the newborn soon after the cesarean delivery. An experimental cross-over study was conducted to compare breastfeeding satisfaction and comfort with the cradle hold position and football hold position while breastfeeding among women undergoing elective cesarean section. The objective of the study was to compare breastfeeding satisfaction and comfort in cradle hold and football hold breastfeeding positions. The setting of the study was the maternity ward of Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode. All women undergoing elective cesarean section were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The initial subject was selected by using the lottery method and subsequent subjects were alternatively assigned into two groups. Demonstrations regarding cradle hold position and football hold position was given to individual subjects and a return demonstration was done by them. Both groups got the intervention during their second and third postnatal day. Breastfeeding satisfaction and breastfeeding comfort in the cradle hold and football hold positions were assessed with a maternal breastfeeding satisfaction scale and maternal breastfeeding comfort scale. The data from 70 women undergoing elective caesarean section were available for analysis. The data were analysed using paired t-test. There was a statistically significant difference in breastfeeding satisfaction and breastfeeding comfort with cradle hold and football hold positions. The result showed that mothers were more satisfied and comfortable in the cradle hold position than the football hold position.