A survey of maternal perceptions of early postpartum care with a focus on a breastfeeding friendly environment

Presented to the 10th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Heskett Center, Wichita State University, April 25, 2014.Research completed at Department of Physician Assistants, College of Health Professions, and School of Nursing, College of Health ProfessionsA primary activity for the mother-infant dyad in the first hours and days after birth is learning to breastfeed. Unfortunately, many unidentified barriers interfere with the learning process. The purpose of this study was to investigate maternal perceptions of the early postpartum care environment and the factors impacting breastfeeding as an initial step to establishing a breastfeeding friendly environment. Before discharge from the hospital mothers completed the COMFORTS scale, sharing their perceptions of the physical environment and the care they had received. Data were analyzed using frequencies, measures of central tendencies, and descriptive statistics. Independent sample T-tests were run for comparisons between first time breastfeeding mothers and mothers who had previous breastfeeding experience. Maternal perceptions of the postpartum environment and care were very positive.Graduate School, Academic Affairs, University Librarie