Vol. 3, Issue 6, Part C (2017)

Material and methods: The research approach adopted for this study is quantitative approach and research design adopted for the study is Quasi-Experimental—posttest only control group research design. Using non probability purposive sampling technique 60 newborns were enrolled for the study and were distributed in two groups. Breast crawl was given and assessment was done three times i.e, LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment after breast crawl and Modified Infant Breastfeeding Assessment was done at 24 hours and 48 hours of life.

Results: Average LATCH Breastfeeding score for experimental group was 7.7 which was 6.8 for control group. t-value for this comparison was 5.3 with 58 degrees of freedom. Corresponding p-value was of the order of 0.000 (less than 0.05), null hypothesis is rejected. Experimental group had significantly higher average LATCH Breastfeeding score than that of control group On day1, Average Modified Infant Breastfeeding Assessment score for experimental group was 28.6 which was 25.6 for control group. On day2, average Modified Infant Breastfeeding Assessment score for experimental group was 28.8 which was 26.2 for control group. t-values for these comparisons were 5.3 and 4.3 on day 1 and day2 with 58 degrees of freedom. Corresponding p-values were of the order of 0.000 (less than 0.05), null hypothesis is rejected. Experimental group had significantly higher average Modified Infant Breastfeeding Assessment score than that of control group on day1 and day2. Association of LATCH Breastfeeding with demographic variables in experimental group under study, since p-value corresponding to weight of baby is 0.026, which is small (less than 0.05), weight of baby was found to have significant association with LATCH Breastfeeding in experimental group. More the weight of the baby, better is the LATCH Breastfeeding. Keeping in view the research findings the same kind of research can be replicated in large setting. Breast crawl should be given to all the newborns immediately after birth to establish breastfeeding as early as possible.

Conclusion: The findings shows that newborns who received breast crawl achieved early establishment of breastfeeding and more the weight of the newborn better the breast crawl.