Comparison of Breastfeeding Patterns in Women with Normal Vaginal Delivery and Cesarean Section

Breastfeeding is one of the main factors in health and survival of infants. According to the type of delivery, mother's breastfeeding pattern may be different. The aim of this study was to compare the patterns of breastfeeding in women with normal vaginal delivery and cesarean section. This cross sectional study was conducted in 2009 on 197 mothers after labor in Vali-e-Asr educational-treatment center affiliated to Fasa University of Medical Sciences. After selection of mothers by purposive sampling method, their feeding patterns were assessed using the LATCH breastfeeding chart system according to direct observation. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 15) software using t-test independent, Mann-Whitney test and Chi-square test. Mean of gestational age in cesarean group was 38.8±1.7 week and in vaginal delivery group was 39.5±1.0 week (p= 0.004). Gender and weight of the newborns didn’t have any significant difference in vaginal delivery and cesarean groups. The score of breastfeeding pattern in the cesarean group (8.0±1.5) was statistically higher than vaginal delivery group (9.3±0.8) (p=0.001). The type of delivery correlates with the breastfeeding pattern. Mothers with cesarean delivery need more support and help in breastfeeding in the first days after delivery in comparison with mothers who experience vaginal delivery. Assessment of mothers’ breastfeeding pattern can be used in determining breastfeeding problems and applying appropriate nursing interventions.