Study on Recognition and Practice of Breastfeeding of mothers of under toddler

영유아 어머니의 모유수유에 대한 인식 및 실천에 관한 연구

This study presents results of surveys conducted Seoul area using structured questionnaire developed by researchers to determine the degree of recognition and practice of breast-feeding. The subjects were mothers of 255 childs 1-36 months of age who have experienced breast feeding over one month. Recognition of breastfeeding was significantly associated with "baby's health", "emotional relationship between mother and infant", "mother's health", "for economic reasons". The majority of mothers got information of breastfeeding through booklets(64.7%), from her mothers(44.7%), through T.V or Radio (45.5%), School education(41.6%) from mother in law(36.5%), and did not perceive professional advice from nurses or doctors as important. "Lack of milk" was the predominant reason for for terminating breastfeeding. Efforts for practice of breastfeeding was comparatively high because of experienced mothers of breastfeeding. Some of them were "frying to take liguid diet and nurtitional food for increasing secretion of milk", "fed on by infant-demanded schedule". Duration of breastfeeding was under on month (31.0%), 1-3 months(25.5%), 3-6 months(19.6%), 6-9 months (11.0%). Degree of recognition and practice of breastfeeding was significantly correlated with mother's educational background, location of delivary(big hopital), Rooming in, over 5 months of breastfeeding. Based on the results of this study, we suggest that effective and supportive breastfeeding program developed by nurses have to provide to mothers of infants to take an important role in breastfeeding.