The Relationship Between Mothers' Knowledge and Attitude in Breastfeeding and The Occurrence of Nipple Irritation in Pidie Regency

Research indicates that 40% of women do not breastfeed their infants due to experiencing breast pain and swelling, and fear of nipple soreness. This may be due to incorrect breastfeeding techniques, which are often overlooked by mothers who lack the proper breastfeeding management knowledge, thus requiring relevant training and education. Proper breastfeeding requires good attachment between the mother's areola and the baby's mouth so the baby can feed effectively and nipple irritation can be avoided. If not adhered to, nipple irritation may occur, causing mothers to be reluctant to breastfeed their infants, which may impact to the child's growth rate. Breast milk is an excellent source of nutrition for infants, as it contains essential nutrients needed for optimal growth and development (Prasetyono, 2012). Data from the Aceh District/City Breastfeeding Coverage in 2022 shows that the highest coverage was in Sabang City, with only 22.43% of the population (6,006 infants). This study used a cross-sectional design where 375 infants were breastfed, and the Slovin formula was applied. Samples were randomly selected from infants at health centers in Pidie District. Researchers used the Chi-square test for data analysis. The findings from this study, derived from bivariate statistical analysis using the Chi-square test with a 95% confidence level, resulted in a p-value of 0.000 (p < 0.05). This indicates that the knowledge variable significantly affects breastfeeding technique. The Chi-square test at a 95% confidence level with p=0.000 (p < 0.05) also shows that attitude has an impact on the mother's ability to breastfeed. The mother's knowledge and attitude significantly influence their breastfeeding practice. The best way to prevent nipple irritation is by educating mothers on proper breastfeeding techniques. Researchers state that improving maternal knowledge and attitudes can enhance behavior, especially in breastfeeding practices, to prevent irritation. Monitoring by health workers is expected to improve maternal knowledge and attitudes and minimize the incidence of nipple irritation.