STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

International Journal of Women's Health Nursing And Practices Original Research

A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Program on Knowledge Regarding Breastfeeding Positioning Among Postnatal Mothers in Selected Community Areas in Kanpur

  1. Divya Dwivedi Department of Obstetrical and Gynecological Nursing, Chandni College of Nursing
  2. Muskan Chandra Department of Nursing, Chandni College of Nursing
  3. Laxmi Devi Department of Nursing, Chandni College of Nursing
  4. Arsh Faruqui Department of Nursing, Chandni College of Nursing
  5. Seema Pal Department of Nursing, Chandni College of Nursing
  6. Ajay Vishwakarma Department of Nursing, Chandni College of Nursing

Abstract

Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in promoting infant health by providing complete nutrition, enhancing immunity, and strengthening maternal–infant bonding. Despite its benefits, many postnatal mothers experience challenges, such as nipple pain, breast engorgement, fatigue, and ineffective feeding, often due to improper breastfeeding positioning and poor latching techniques. Limited awareness and lack of structured education further contribute to these difficulties. Educating postnatal mothers on correct breastfeeding positioning is, therefore, essential to improve their knowledge, encourage correct practices, and support successful breastfeeding outcomes. This study aimed to assess the pre-test and post-test knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding breastfeeding positioning, evaluate the effectiveness of a structured teaching program, and determine the association between pre-test knowledge scores and selected demographic variables. A quantitative pre-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design was adopted. The study was conducted among 40 postnatal mothers selected through purposive sampling from an urban area of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire to assess knowledge on breastfeeding positioning. Following the pre-test, a structured teaching program with demonstration was administered, and a post-test was conducted to evaluate knowledge gain. The findings revealed that most of postnatal mothers were aged between 20–25 years (60%), had primary level education (45%), were homemakers (80%), multiparous (65%), and belonged to joint families (65%). Most participants had normal vaginal deliveries (47.5%) and were residents of rural areas (70%). In the pre-test, 20% of mothers demonstrated poor knowledge regarding breastfeeding positioning, whereas in the post-test, 80% of mothers achieved good knowledge levels. The mean knowledge score increased from 13.45 in the pre-test to 22.42 in the post-test, with a mean difference of 8.97. The paired t-test value of 4.44 indicated a statistically significant improvement in knowledge following the structured teaching program. The study concluded that the structured teaching program was effective in improving the knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding breastfeeding positioning, thereby emphasizing the importance of educational interventions in promoting optimal breastfeeding practices.

Keywords

References (32)

  1. International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), ICF. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019–21: India. Volume I. Mumbai: International Institute for Population Sciences; 2021. Available from: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR375/FR375.pdf
  2. World Health Organization. (2023). Infant and young child feeding. [online] Geneva: World Health Organization. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding.
  3. ‌Gupta A, Sobti J. Infant feeding practices among patients of paediatrics and general practitioners. Indian J Pediatr. 2008;75:193–196.
  4. Henderson J, Alderdice F, Redshaw M. Factors associated with maternal postpartum fatigue: an observationalstudy. BMJ Open. 2019;9(7):e025927. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025927
  5. World Health Organization. (2025). Ten steps to successful breastfeeding. [online] Geneva: World Health Organization. Available from: https://www.who.int/teams/nutrition-and-food-safety/food-and-nutrition-actions-in-health-systems/ten-steps-to-successful-breastfeeding
  6. Vijayalakshmi V, Rajeswari D, Huldah J. EFFECTIVENESS OF STRUCTURED TEACHING PROGRAMME ON KNOWLEDGE REGARDING THE BREAST ENGORGEMENT AMONG POSTNATAL MOTHER WITH BREAST ENGORGEMENT. International Journal of Advanced Research. 2021;9(09):701-702. doi:10.21474/ijar01/13469
  7. Polit DF, Beck CT. Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice. 11th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
  8. Burns N, Grove SK. The Practice of Nursing Research: Appraisal, Synthesis, and Generation of Evidence. 9th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2020.
  9. World Health Organization. (2019). Breastfeeding. [Online] Geneva: World Health Organization. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding
  10. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Breastfeeding: A Mother's Gift, for Every Child. New York (NY): UNICEF; 2018. Available from: https://www.unicef.org/media/48046/file/UNICEF_Breastfeeding_A_Mothers_Gift_for_Every_Child.pdf
  11. Lowdermilk DL, Perry SE, Cashion MC, Alden KR. Maternity & Women's Health Care. 12th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2020.
  12. Basavanthappa BT. Nursing Education. 2nd ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2019.
  13. Nancy S, Sindhuri R, Arunagirinathan A, Dongre AR. Breastfeeding Positioning and Attachment among Postnatal Mothers: A Mixed Methods Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Puducherry, South India. Indian Journal of Community Medicine. 2022;47(1):120-124. doi:10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_859_21
  14. Aswathaman N, Sajjid M, Kamalarathnam CN, Arasar Seeralar AT. Assessment of breastfeeding position and attachment (ABPA) in a tertiary care centre in Chennai, India: an observational descriptive cross-sectional study. International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics. 2018;5(6):2209. doi:10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20184282
  15. Minarini G, Lima E, Figueiredo K, Pereira N, Carmona AP, Bueno M, et al. Mixed Methods Studies on Breastfeeding: A Scoping Review. Healthcare. 2025;13(7):746. doi:10.3390/healthcare13070746
  16. Banginwar A, Goyal R, Ziyo F, Toweir A. Breastfeeding practices: Positioning, attachment (latch-on) and effective suckling - A hospital-based study in Libya. Journal of Family and Community Medicine. 2011;18(2):74. doi:10.4103/2230-8229.83372
  17. Bala K, Sahni B, Bavoria S, Narangyal A. Knowledge, attitude, and breast-feeding practices of postnatal mothers in Jammu: A community hospital based cross sectional study. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2020;9(7):3433-3437. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_333_20
  18. Wang Z, Liu Q, Min L, Mao X. The effectiveness of the laid-back position on lactation-related nipple problems and comfort: a meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2021;21(1). doi:10.1186/s12884-021-03714-8
  19. Mislu E, Kumsa H, Arage MW, Shitie A, Adimasu A. Effective breastfeeding techniques and associated factors among lactating women: a community-based study, north east Ethiopia. Frontiers in Public Health. 2024;12. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1337822
  20. Çetindemir EO, Cangöl E. The effect of breastfeeding education given through the teach-back method on mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding success: a randomized controlled study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2024;24(1). doi:10.1186/s12884-024-06601-0
  21. North K, Gao M, Allen G, Lee AC. Breastfeeding in a Global Context: Epidemiology, Impact, and Future Directions. Clinical Therapeutics. 2022;44(2):228-244. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.11.017
  22. de Jesus PC, de Oliveira MIC, Fonseca SC. Impact of health professional training in breastfeeding on their knowledge, skills, and hospital practices: a systematic review. Jornal de Pediatria. 2016;92(5):436-450. doi:10.1016/j.jped.2015.09.008
  23. Dasgupta U, Mallik S, Bhattacharyya K, Sarkar J, Bhattacharya SK, Halder A. Breastfeeding practices: positioning, attachment and effective suckling—a hospital-based study in West Bengal/Kolkata. Indian J Matern Child Health. 2013;15(1):1–11.
  24. Palar R, G S. Impact of Structured Teaching Program on Knowledge Regarding Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy. International Journal of Advances in Nursing Management. 2023:165-171. doi:10.52711/2454-2652.2023.00038
  25. Himanshi. Assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on breast feeding among postnatal mothers: A pre-experimental study. International Journal of Midwifery and Nursing Practice. 2025;8(2):49-52. doi:10.33545/26630427.2025.v8.i2a.212
  26. Sandhi A, Nguyen CTT, Lin-Lewry M, Lee GT, Kuo SY. Effectiveness of breastfeeding educational interventions to improve breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and skills among nursing, midwifery, and medical students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nurse Education Today. 2023;126:105813. doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105813
  27. Han Q, Gao T, Li C, Jing X. Effectiveness of a multidisciplinary team teaching method on breastfeeding knowledge of nursing students in China: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Medical Education. 2025;25(1). doi:10.1186/s12909-025-08033-6
  28. Gamit R, Jomy R, Rathod H, Abrahams N, Patel B, Mathew M, et al. A study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding breast feeding among postnatal mothers in Shri Vinoba Bhave, Civil Hospital, Silvassa. International Journal of Advances in Nursing Management. 2021;9(1):4-6. doi:10.5958/2454-2652.2021.00002.0
  29. Blanco S, Aboul-Enein BH, Benajiba N, Dodge E. A Scoping Review of Breastfeeding Interventions and Programs Conducted Across Spanish-Speaking Countries. Health Promotion Practice. 2024;26(1):168-191. doi:10.1177/15248399241237950
  30. Haricharan KR, Vardhan K, Naidu R. Knowledge, attitude and practice of breastfeeding among postnatal mothers at rural tertiary hospital. J Pediatr Res. 2017;4(2):115–121. doi:10.17511/IJPR.2017.02.04.
  31. Vijayalakshmi P, Susheela T, Mythili D. Knowledge, attitudes, and breast feeding practices of postnatal mothers: a cross sectional survey. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2015;9:364–374. PMID:26715916.
  32. Heinig MJ. Host Defense Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Infant. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2001;48(1):105-123. doi:10.1016/s0031-3955(05)70288-1