Postnatal Breast-Feeding Knowledge, Techniques and Rates of First-Time Mothers Depending on a Prenatal Breast-Feeding Education Method

Abstract

To investigate the impacts of individualized versus group prenatal breast-feeding education on postnatal breast-feeding knowledge, this study addressed techniques and rates of first-time mothers as part of data collection for developing breast-feeding education programs. Methods: A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group design was applied to compare the effects of prenatal breast-feeding individual vs. group education among first-time mothers. Collected data was analyzed using χ²-test, t-test, paired t-test, and ANOVA. Results: There was no difference on the knowledge of prenatal breast-feeding between individual and group education. However, individual education was a more effective method than group education on post-natal knowledge. In the 4th and 8th weeks of breast-feeding, individual education was more effective than group education. However, there was no difference between the two education methods at Week 12. Conclusion: This study indicates that many outpatient mothers should be given various individual approaches and prenatal breast-feeding education programs to provide them with opportunities for education to improve breast-feeding rates. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the breast-feeding rates at Week 12, which may be attributed not to education methods but to changes in external environmental factors. Further research is needed to address the changes.