Introduction: Breastfeeding is a natural, healthy and allegedly the easiest way of feeding a newborn or a baby. For breastfeeding to be successful and for a mother and the child to be satisfied, it takes a great deal of effort, relevant information and support, and, above all, the right assistance. For this reason, it is especially important that mothers know where they can turn to get some assistance. In Slovenia, they can receive either professional or non-professional assistance. Purpose:The purpose of the thesis is to determine the knowledge of support groups by mothers. The purpose is also to identify the importance of breastfeeding support teams and the role of support groups when mothers encounter breastfeeding problems and when they experience a feeling of uncertainty about their breastfeeding ability. Methods: The descriptive method of quantitative research is used as well as the causal non-experimental method of empirical research. A questionnaire was used to collect the data. Results: The survey involved 203 respondents who had at least one child. Most of them were aged 26 to 30. The majority (94%) knows where to turn for help in the event of breastfeeding problems. They are well acquainted with breastfeeding support groups which can be found online with community nurses and with breastfeeding consultants from the international breastfeeding organization La Leche League.Most often they turned to help because of the feeling they lack milk. When women sought help, the support groups were well-responsive (91%), and the respondents with the information received were satisfied with 74%. Respondents are of the opinion that it would be good for different groups or possible forms of breastfeeding assistance to be presented to future parents in the framework of schools for future parents and later in the maternity wards.Discussion and conclusion:The results of the study showed that women are familiar with breastfeeding support groups, but some of them are known in a small number. As the results demonstrate that breastfeeding support affects the duration of breastfeeding, more effort should be put in gynecologic clinics, in schools for future parents and maternity hospitals where health professionals are most likely to meet pregnant women in informing women about all existing supportive groups with us, which can be contacted in the event of a breastfeeding problem.
|