Model Developing of Mother’s Self-management Regarding Exclusive Breastfeeding for 6 Months: A Case Study at Bo Sub-district, Khlung District, Chanthaburi Province

Abstract

This research and development aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of the mother’s self-management model regarding exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. The participants were 13 postpartum mothers at Bo Sub-district, Khlung District, Chanthaburi Province. The research instrument was the interview guide of mothers’ perception regarding exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months with the reliability of .72. The research process consisted of five steps including: 1) the exploration of the existing model regarding exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months; 2) the development temporary model of sustaining exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months; 3) the trying and evaluating the developed model; 4) the model adjustment; and 5) the evaluation of finalmodel. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and content analysis.

The research results revealed that the model in this research was a collaborative among research team, postpartum mothers and family. The research team supported the postpartum mothers and family self-management including: 1) collaborative goal setting; 2) goals reviewing; 3) home visiting and giving advise following the need of postpartum mothers and family; 4) monitoring and evaluating the problems and giving incentives; 5) creating the helping channel when they experienced problems; 6) the providing the preceptors who have successful experiences; 7) encouraging family participation; 8) supporting the breastfeeding group. The postpartum mothers’ self-management consisted of: 1) goal setting of exclusive breastfeeding; 2) going on breastfeeding; 3) seeking information; 4) evaluating the problems and consulting the nurses; 5) searching for the best solutions when encountering obstacles; 6) changing the methods when the problem is still not resolved; and 7) intention for successful exclusive breastfeeding. The family roles were supporting and helping postpartum mother in breastfeeding. Results showed the successful sustaining breastfeeding for 6 months at 62% and the perceptions of self-management regarding exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months were at good level (X = 4.01, SD = .26).

This research suggested that the relevant personnel should adopt this model in support of breastfeeding at the health promoting hospitals and add the reinforcement methods for helping postpartum mother and family to solve the problems that would increase the successful of sustaining exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months.