Grandmothers’ breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, maternal support perception, and breastfeeding practice: A prospective cohort survey

Abstract Objective The study aimed to scan the status of grandmothers’ breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes, explore the relationship between grandmothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and the mother's breastfeeding support perception, and further study whether those factors have a direct impact on breastfeeding practices. Methods A quantitative, prospective cohort study was set in an obstetrics and gynecology specialist hospital. 310 mother-grandmother dyads completed structured questionnaires, and 282 mothers were followed up to 6 weeks postpartum to investigate breastfeeding practice. Results The grandmother’s breastfeeding knowledge score was 9.32 (SD = 2.33). The grandmothers’ breastfeeding attitude score were 62.03 (SD = 4.46) at a positive level. The mother’s perception of the grandmother’s support score was 27.77 (SD = 3.40) at a positive level. There were positive correlations among grandmothers’ breastfeeding knowledge, grandmothers’ breastfeeding attitudes, and mothers’ perception of breastfeeding support of grandmothers. Mother's breastfeeding plan (P = 0.02), mother's perceived breastfeeding support (P = 0.04), grandmother's education level (P < 0.01), and attitude towards breastfeeding (P < 0.01) were independent influencing factors of breastfeeding practice. Conclusion Grandmothers' breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes and mothers' breastfeeding support perceptions of grandmothers were positive, but there is a vast scope for betterment. Healthcare professionals must identify the factors that impact breastfeeding practice and create interventions to improve it.