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Table 3 Descriptions of assistance mothers received to initiate breastfeeding in the birthing room by birth type

From: Effective suckling in relation to naked maternal-infant body contact in the first hour of life: an observation study

Description of assistance

Birth type

 

Caesar

Vaginal

TOTAL

n (%)

n (%)

n (%)

No assistance

5 (6.4)

9 (11.5)

9 (11.5)

a Hands ‘off’ support (without other support)

0 (0)

7 (9)

7 (9)

 Readiness of baby to breastfeed discussed

   

 Encouragement given

   

 Verbal instruction given

   

 Mother assisted to another position

   

 Mother’s hands guided to support baby

   

 Baby feeding behaviour noted

   

 Baby ability to breastfed affirmed

   

 Assisted to sit up – bed wound up

   

Hands ‘on’ position - minimal assistance

3 (3.8)

22 (28.2)

25 (32.1)

 Baby turned to face mother’s breast

   

 Mother reassured and praise given

   

 Instruction regards expressing

   

 Father moves baby over to nipple

   

 Baby positioned close to breast

   

b,c Hands ‘on’ attach - moderate assistance

6 (7.7)

14 (17.9)

20 (25.6)

 Baby’s neck held by tong gripb

   

 Mother’s breast shaped to help baby attachb

   

 Baby held to breast for motherb

   

 Back of baby head heldc

3 (3.8)

14 (17.9)

17 (21.8)

 Colostrum expressed for mother

   

 Breastfeeding assistance offered

   
  1. aMothers who received hands ‘on’ help also received hands ‘off’ support.
  2. b‘Hands on assistance to attach’ if any one of these.
  3. cBack of baby head held with help to attach Independent variable (IV).
  4. Full assistance – is assisted with both positioning and attachment.