Brestfeeding and its most frequent problems

The undergraduate thesis is divided into two parts. The first part is theoretical and contains overview of current knowledge concerning breastfeeding; the other part presents the survey. In the theoretical part, most frequent problems related to breastfeeding are outlined and correct breastfeeding technique described, which is important for the prevention of these problems. Also other aspects related to breastfeeding are described, such as positions, regimen of a breastfeeding woman etc. The first objective was to find out whether women get enough information about breastfeeding from the prenatal care. The second objective was to find out whether the nursing staff educates women on correct breastfeeding techniques in the postnatal ward. The third objective was to ascertain the most frequent problems related to breastfeeding in women in the postnatal ward, and the last objective was to find out whether breastfeeding women know how to resolve difficulties with breastfeeding. The first hypothesis was that women get information during the prenatal care. The second hypothesis was that nursing staff instructs women on correct breastfeeding techniques. The third hypothesis was that the most frequent problem in breastfeeding is sore and cracked nipples. The last hypothesis was that women are aware of solutions of their problems while in the postnatal ward. All the objectives were met. The survey showed that women were informed about breastfeeding during the prenatal care. They get most information from journals, books and internet. Some of them attended the breastfeeding course and others were instructed by medical staff. Thus the first hypothesis, that women get information during the prenatal care, was confirmed. The second objective was to find out whether the nursing staff educates women on correct breastfeeding techniques in the postnatal ward. The survey proved that women were educated in this way and the staff instructed them on steps leading to successful breastfeeding. The results confirmed the second hypothesis, that nursing staff instructs women on correct breastfeeding techniques. The third objective was to ascertain the most frequent problems with breastfeeding in women in the postnatal ward. The most serious problem ascertained was painful swelling of breasts. The third hypothesis, that the most frequent problem in breastfeeding is sore and cracked nipples, thus was not confirmed. Ascertaining the scope of women{\crq}s knowledge on ways to solve difficulties in breastfeeding was the fourth objective. It was proved that women have sufficient knowledge leading to the removal of a potential problem, and thus the fourth hypothesis, that women are aware of solutions of their breastfeeding problems while in the postnatal ward, was confirmed. In order to verify the hypotheses and fulfill the objectives the quantitative research was used in the form of anonymous questionnaires. We handed out 127 questionnaires, of which 112 returned to us. The survey was implemented in Thomayer University Hospital in Prague, which has been the holder of Baby Friendly Hospital certificate since 1993. The survey results could be used as a source of information for timely education on the most frequent problems in breastfeeding aimed at their prevention and at the same time serve as an information source for the improvement of nursing care. More attention should be paid to the issues of breastfeeding, as these are problems, which may make mothers{\crq} most beautiful period of life more difficult