A cross sectional study to assess the knowledge and practices of expressed breast milk among mothers of admitted neonates in selected hospitals of Meghalaya

Abstract

Breast milk, endorsed by the WHO, is the optimal nutrition for newborns, offering benefits to infants, mothers, and society. Expressed breast milk is a key alternative for mothers unable to breastfeed directly due to illness, work, or premature infants. Using manual or electric pumps, it provides essential nutrients and immunity to infants, especially those who are unwell or premature. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices, regarding Expressed Breast Milk among mothers of admitted neonates in selected Hospitals of Meghalaya. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was used for this study. A total of 75 mothers were selected through consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected through structured interview questionnaires for knowledge and an observational checklist for practices. Majority 56 (74.7%) mothers had poor knowledge, and only 19 (25.3%) had average knowledge, with a mean score of 6.18±2.19 on Expressed Breast Milk. However, 51 (68%) demonstrated adequate practice, with a mean score of 8.61±1.77.An association was found between knowledge with educational status (p=0.02) and number of children (p=0.02) respectively. Notably, 50.7% of mothers had never heard of Expressed Breast Milk, while the remaining received information primarily from healthcare providers.In conclusion. The study revealed that while mothers follow adequate practices, they lack knowledge.