Breastfeeding and latching practices among postnatal mothers: A mixed methods study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in northeastern India

Introduction: Breastfeeding positioning and attachment are very important for successful implementation of exclusive breastfeeding. Incorrect techniques of breastfeeding lead to early lactation failure. Previous studies show that young primigravid mothers having no formal education require more support during lactation in early postnatal period. The study aimed to identify breastfeeding techniques among postnatal mothers and barriers to its implementation and to prioritize action points in improving breastfeeding practices from the staff nurses’ point of view. Material and Methods: A hospital-based mixed methods study was carried out from March 2024 to August 2024. In the quantitative phase, 227 postnatal mothers were interviewed consecutively, and their techniques were observed based on the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness guidelines. In the qualitative phase, 48 staff nurses ranked the actionable points to improve breastfeeding techniques. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were done using SPSS. Ranked data were calculated by mean rank and concordance coefficient. Results: About 28.6% of postnatal mothers demonstrated improper positioning, and 28.3% had poor attachment during breastfeeding. Young mothers with <7-day-old infant working as homemakers and did not receive breastfeeding counseling were associated with improper techniques. Staff nurses suggested prioritizing posters, timely and refresher training, targeted counselling for postnatal mothers, and providing them with necessary support. Conclusion: The age of the mother, their occupation, early infant age, and breastfeeding counseling are the factors influencing breastfeeding techniques. The priority action points, as suggested, need to be implemented for achieving the sustainable development goal.