Knowledge and Practice Regarding Breastfeeding among Primipara Mothers of Obstetrics Ward, Guwahati, Assam

Breastfeeding is an ideal form of feeding to neonate. It is the most precious gift a mother can give and is free of cost. It should be started as soon as possible after birth. Breast milk is a species-specific complete food. Human milk facilitates effortless digestion for infant and is well absorbed by the newborn. It helps to stimulate the production of breast milk, protect against infection and facilitate mother - infant bonding, and promotes better brain growth. For mothers breastfeeding helps in the involution of uterus, delays pregnancy, and lowers risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Every year around 57,000 children below 5 years of age lose their lives, among which 54 percent die within the first month of life. The data stated that 22 percent of newborn death can be prevented through breastfeeding within 1st hour of birth. Mother play a very important roles in reducing neonatal mortality and neonatal morbidity rate by their knowledge and practice while feeding their baby. Method: A descriptive correlation study design was conducted in August 2021 at Pratiksha Hospital, Guwahati, Assam. The sample size was 50 primi para mothers. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select the sample. Semi -A structured interview schedule and observation checklist were prepared according to objectives which comprised questions related to demographic variables, Knowledge to assess breastfeeding, and an observational checklist to assess practice Data was collected by administering this structured questionnaire to the primipara mothers. Result: In the study, 31 (62.0%) had adequate, 19 (38.0%) had moderate, and none had inadequate knowledge regarding breastfeeding. 23 (46.0 had good, 27 (54.0%) had satisfactory and none of them had poor practice on breastfeeding. The results show that there was a moderate degree positive correlation between knowledge and practice.