Assessment of Mothers Knowledge and Practice Regarding Breast Feeding Patterns for Neonates with Cleft Lip and Palate

Abstract

Background: Cleft lip and palate are developmental defects or congenital malformations of the upper lip and roof of the mouth that are present at birth. Aim: This study aimed to assess mothers’ knowledge and practices regarding breast feeding patterns for neonates with cleft lip and Clift palate CL/CP. Design: A descriptive design was utilized in carrying out this study. Subject: A purposive sample composed of sixty-eight mothers with neonates with CL/CP for six months at the NICU and the Inpatient Surgical Department and Outpatient Surgical Clinic affiliated to children’s Hospital, Ain Shams University hospitals, Cairo. Tools: Interviewing Questionnaire to assess characteristics of the studied neonates as; age, gender, weight, diagnosis, mothers and family as; age, age, level of education, occupation and residence, assess feeding patterns of breast feeding among neonates with CL/CP, assessment of the studied growth parameters of neonates and levels of mothers’ knowledge regarding breast feeding patterns for neonates with CL/CP as; illness history, feeding method, time for complete feeding, difficulty during feeding, nutritional supplement, kind of supplement, feeding position, neonates appetite and stress feeding. In addition, Observational Checklist to assess the mothers’ reported practices of breast feeding methods. Results: almost one-third of studied neonates had unilateral cleft lip, and about half of them of them admitted to the hospital for surgical repair. Inaddetion Majority of mothers had unsatisfactory knowledge and practices regarding breast feeding patterns for the neonate with cleft lip and cleft palate. Conclusion: There were statistically significant differences between the levels of knowledge and practices of the studied mothers and their neonates’ breast feeding patterns. Recommendations: Continuous educational programs and feeding guidelines designed and implemented for mothers having neonate with cleft lip and cleft palate.