Effectiveness of structured nurse-led lactational counselling on breastfeeding performance among primiparous mothers: An experimental study

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding is a vital determinant of neonatal health, yet its uptake across India remains suboptimal despite strong national advocacy. This study evaluates the effectiveness of structured nurse-led lactational counselling on breastfeeding performance among primiparous mothers in a tertiary care setting. A block-randomized experimental design was implemented, enrolling 120 mothers allocated to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received four targeted counselling sessions addressing six core domains of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Performance was assessed using validated tools to measure both knowledge and practice on the day of delivery, and exclusive breastfeeding outcomes at the fourth and sixth months postpartum.Results revealed a significant enhancement in breastfeeding knowledge within the intervention group, with mean scores rising from 12.08 to 21.88, compared to a modest increase from 14.83 to 16.60 in the control group. On the day of delivery, 91.67% of mothers in the intervention group demonstrated optimal breastfeeding practices, markedly higher than the 50% observed in the control group. Follow-up data confirmed sustained exclusive breastfeeding rates exceeding 91% in the intervention group at both four and six months, contrasting sharply with a decline from 42% to 11% in the control group. All outcomes were statistically significant (P< 0.001), validated through Wilcoxon signed-rank, Mann–Whitney U, and Fisher’s Exact tests.These results highlight the effectiveness of structured Nurse-led lactational counselling in improving breastfeeding knowledge and practices. The study advocates for integration of such counselling into routine postnatal care through outpatient nurse-led lactational clinics, contributing to scalable maternal health strategies and reinforcing neonatal wellness.