The Effect of Lactational Program on Milk Secretion Time and Mothers' Knowledge in Promoting Breastfeeding in Sick Newborns

Abstract

Breast milk provides essential nutrients for the growth and development of the infant. A sick newborn who is separated from the mother immediately after birth may face obstacles in receiving breast milk from the very beginning. Therefore, assisting in stimulating early milk production and maintaining an adequate milk supply is essential for enabling continuous breastfeeding. This research aims to compare the milk secretion time and the knowledge of mothers in promoting breastfeeding for sick newborns. The research sample consists of mothers with infants who have been admitted for more than 4 hours in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Health Promotion Hospital,Regional Health Promotion Center 1 Chiangmai. totaling 50 participants. The study compares two groups: one receiving a milk stimulation program and the other receiving standard nursing care, with 25 participants in each group. The research instruments for data collection include the Lactational Program, the personal information record form, the milk secretion time form and milk volume, and the knowledge test for mothers on promoting breastfeeding for sick newborns. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-tests. The results showed that the experimental group had a significantly shorter time to the onset of milk flow compared to the control group (t = 2.841, p < .01). Additionally, the experimental group also had significantly better knowledge about promoting breastfeeding for sick newborns than the control group (t = -4.683, p = < .001).

The research findings demonstrate that the Lactational Program can accelerate the milk secretion time and improve maternal knowledge about promoting breastfeeding for sick newborns. This approach can help enhance the continuity and leading to a higher rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months.