Effectiveness of Hoffman’s Exercise on level of Breastfeeding among postnatal mothers with nipple defects in selected hospitals, Kanyakumari District

A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Hoffman’s exercise on level of breastfeeding among postnatal mothers with nipple defects in selected hospitals, Kanyakumari District. Pre experimental one group pre test and post test design was adopted and the study was conducted at PPK hospital, Marthandam and Vijayakumar hospital, Swamiyarmadam. Thirty samples with nipple defects were selected by purposive sampling method. Pre test was done on the first day of delivery. Via Christi Breastfeeding Assessment tool was used to assess the level of breastfeeding. Hoffman’s exercise was taught to the mothers and the post test was done on the fifteenth day. Majority of the mothers, 13 (43.33%) belonged to the age group of 23-26 years, 13 (43.33%) of them had normal vaginal delivery, 16 (53.34%) had gestational age between 34 and 37 weeks at the time of delivery, 16 (53.34%) of them were educated up to graduate level, and 26 (86.66%) had not done antenatal preparation of nipples. During the pre test among 30 mothers 13 (43.33%) had inadequate level of breastfeeding and 17 (56.67%) had moderate level of breastfeeding. In the post test 16 (53.34%) had moderate level of breastfeeding and 14 (46.66%) had adequate level of breastfeeding. There was a significant difference in the pre test and post test level of breastfeeding. There was no association between the post test levels of breastfeeding with the selected demographic variables. Researcher concluded as per the study that the Hoffman’s exercise, which is safe, simple and painless, will improve the level of breastfeeding. This study statistically proved the effect of Hoffman’s exercise on level of breastfeeding among postnatal mothers with nipple defects