Predictive Power of Support from Husbands, Grandmothers, and Nurses on Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the predictive power of support from husbands, grandmothers, and nurses on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

Design: Correlational predictive design.

Methods: The sample comprised of 77 mothers with 6-month-old infants receiving health supervision and vaccinations at the Well Baby Clinic, Sisaket Hospital, Sisaket Province, Thailand.

Main findings: The findings indicated that 13% of the mothers exclusively breastfeed their infants. The average duration of exclusive breastfeeding for the study mothers was 90.60 ± 50.10 days. The major reason for quitting such breastfeeding was the wrong advice from grandmothers. The mothers identified nurses as the most significant source of support in exclusive breastfeeding. The support from husbands (p = .973), grandmothers (p = .094), and nurses (p = .156) was not predictive of the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. However, the instrumental support from grandmothers was predictive of the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (p = .012).

Conclusion and recommendations: Based on these findings, nurses are advised to gain awareness of, and undertake roles in, organizing activities for husbands and grandmothers. These will help to create their correct and proper understanding of their roles and duties to support mothers during pregnancy and breastfeeding to encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months.