ENHANCING BREASTFEEDING OUTCOMES IN PRIMIGRAVIDA POST-CESAREAN WOMEN THROUGH EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

Abstract

Breastfeeding is vital for maternal and infant health, yet primigravida mothers post-cesarean often face difficulties initiating and maintaining it. This quasi-experimental study assessed the impact of a structured educational intervention on breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among 75 post-cesarean primigravida women at a tertiary hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. The intervention included educational sessions, printed materials, and expert-led discussions. Over six months, breastfeeding knowledge increased from 20% to 82.7%, positive attitudes from 13.3% to 80%, and exclusive breastfeeding practices from 33.3% to 80%. These improvements were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The results demonstrate that targeted education effectively enhances breastfeeding outcomes in this high-risk group, highlighting the importance of integrating such support into routine postpartum care.