Abstract
Objectives. Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the optimal form of nutrition for newborns and has many benefits for the mother, including the release of hormones that promote bonding and may reduce the risk of certain diseases. Despite these benefits, breastfeeding rates vary widely around the world and are influenced by a variety of factors and the support received from the hospital. This study aimed to explore suggestions from Latvian women who recently delivered in a hospital on how to improve breastfeeding support based on the WHO Quality of Maternal and newborn care (QMNC) questionnaire.
Materials and Methods. Between March 1, 2020 to October 28, 2021, a questionnaire with open-ended questions was administered to mothers who gave birth at healthcare facilities in order to gather suggestions for improving the quality of maternal and newborn care. Responses were analysed using thematic analysis, with the WHO Standards for improving the QMNC serving as a framework for the analysis. The responses were grouped into 16 key recommendations. This study processed data on breastfeeding recommendations.
Results. 597 mothers provided a total of 530 comments and 663 suggestions on how to improve the QMNC. 72(10,9%) of them made suggestions about breastfeeding. 30 (28.8%) women suggested “provide full-time breastfeeding consultant in the hospital”, 16 (15.4%) stated that “doctors and midwives should improve their breast-feeding knowledge”, 9 (8.7%) “did not receive sufficient information on the benefits of exclusive feeding”, 28 (26.9%) “wants more support and encouragement”, 7 (6.7%) “to obligatory receive breastfeeding counselling for each mother”, 10 (9.6%) mentioned that regular feedback about “effectiveness of breastfeeding” might be supportive. Four women expressed their opinion of providing with nursing chair and not judging the mother for her feeding choices.
Conclusions. Gathering feedback from women on ways to enhance QMNC after giving birth in the hospital revealed important suggestions for areas of care that should be improved according to patients’ perspectives. Education of medical staff and continuous support for evidence-based breastfeeding principles should be included in hospital policies.
Materials and Methods. Between March 1, 2020 to October 28, 2021, a questionnaire with open-ended questions was administered to mothers who gave birth at healthcare facilities in order to gather suggestions for improving the quality of maternal and newborn care. Responses were analysed using thematic analysis, with the WHO Standards for improving the QMNC serving as a framework for the analysis. The responses were grouped into 16 key recommendations. This study processed data on breastfeeding recommendations.
Results. 597 mothers provided a total of 530 comments and 663 suggestions on how to improve the QMNC. 72(10,9%) of them made suggestions about breastfeeding. 30 (28.8%) women suggested “provide full-time breastfeeding consultant in the hospital”, 16 (15.4%) stated that “doctors and midwives should improve their breast-feeding knowledge”, 9 (8.7%) “did not receive sufficient information on the benefits of exclusive feeding”, 28 (26.9%) “wants more support and encouragement”, 7 (6.7%) “to obligatory receive breastfeeding counselling for each mother”, 10 (9.6%) mentioned that regular feedback about “effectiveness of breastfeeding” might be supportive. Four women expressed their opinion of providing with nursing chair and not judging the mother for her feeding choices.
Conclusions. Gathering feedback from women on ways to enhance QMNC after giving birth in the hospital revealed important suggestions for areas of care that should be improved according to patients’ perspectives. Education of medical staff and continuous support for evidence-based breastfeeding principles should be included in hospital policies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 84 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Medicina (Lithuania) |
| Volume | 59 |
| Issue number | Suppl. 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 29 Mar 2023 |
| Event | RSU Research Week 2023: Research Week 2023 Rīga Stradiņš University - Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia Duration: 27 Mar 2023 → 31 Mar 2023 https://rw2023.rsu.lv/general-information https://rw2023.rsu.lv |
Keywords*
- breastfeeding
- pregnancy
- maternal health
- WHO
- WHO standards
- IMAgiNE EURO
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
- 3.3 Health sciences
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)
