Abstract
BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is crucial for infant nutrition and health. Knowledge, attitude, and practices of mothers significantly influence breastfeeding outcomes. This study evaluated mothers' knowledge and attitude toward breastfeeding and its correlation with effective breastfeeding, using the Latch, Audible swallowing, Type of nipple, Comfort, Hold (LATCH) score as a standard assessment. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted among 310 mothers admitted to wards at a tertiary center of healthcare from November 2021 to August 2022. A structured questionnaire assessed maternal knowledge and attitude. The effectiveness of breastfeeding was evaluated using the LATCH score, and infants were followed up at six weeks postpartum to assess weight gain. Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics and Spearman's correlation. A p value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 310 mothers, 88% initiated breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. The median knowledge score was 13. Mothers demonstrated overall positive attitudes toward breastfeeding, scoring high on a five-point Likert scale. The median LATCH score was 9. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between maternal knowledge scores and LATCH scores (Spearman's rho = 0.435, CI = 0.432-0.468, p = 0.044). High LATCH scores correlated strongly with infant weight gain at six weeks (Spearman's rho = 0.825, CI = 0.765-0.871, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the critical role of maternal knowledge and attitude in promoting successful breastfeeding. Mothers with a better understanding of breastfeeding practices demonstrated higher LATCH scores. A higher proportion of mothers who initiated breastfeeding within the first hour still faced challenges in applying correct techniques, requiring extra practical training, family support, and structured follow-up care to sustain breastfeeding effectively. By combining knowledge with accessible, real-world support, we can empower more mothers to breastfeed effectively, ultimately improving early childhood health and development.