Assessing Family Satisfaction with Breastfeeding Care in Maternity Wards: A Survey from Italy

Aim. This study explores the satisfaction of the breastfeeding support received by women in Maternity Wards within the context of postnatal care. Methods. Between November 15th and December 15th, 2023, a 23 items questionnaire was administered to 20 mothers consecutively discharged form Maternity Wards, in each of 26 Italian Hospitals, participating to a national project on the promotion of breastfeeding. Results. A total of 520 questionnaires were collected. Overall, the evaluation provided by parents regarding the care they received was positive. The health team was perceived as welcoming, communicating clear information, practically and emotionally supporting, helpful in teaching how to take care of their baby and respectful of the mother-baby relationship. Moreover, the team was considered attentive to preventing and treating pain experienced by new mothers. Nevertheless, in 19.9% of cases information provided to families about the support resources after hospital discharge was reported as lacking. Conclusions. According to the present study, postpartum care and breastfeeding support provided in a sample of 26 Hospitals have been assessed positively by most families. Nevertheless, a critical issue was still represented by incomplete information at hospital discharge for eventual support.