EXPRESSED BREAST MILK FEEDING IN EMPLOYED LACTATING WOMEN: BENGALURU KARNATAKA INDIA

Introduction: Expressed Breast Milk Feeding is very essential in employed lactating women in worldwide. The number of working women has risen from 5.1 million in 1950 to 18.4 million in 1990 and 65.7 million in 2005. Currently the female labour force in India is 19.23% acc to 2021 statistics. The world bank collection of development indicators 2022 report states that in India the female population growing at an average rate of 1.80% and the number is 669 millions in 2021. However work is essential to economic survival for some families and the period of maternity leave provided does not match with period of exclusive breast feeding. In addition to expressed breast milk feeding is the only measure that can help our working women to continue breast feeding exclusively. Expressed breast milk is milk expressed from the breast by the mother, either by manually or by electric breast pump. It must be collected and stored properly to prevent the risk of bacterial growth. Moreover, Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in room temperature (66-78 0 F) for 4 to 6 hours, cooler with 3 Frozen ice packs for 24 hours (590 F), in refrigerator for 3 to 8 days (39 0 F), in Freezer for 6-12 months (40 F). Before feeding the stored breast milk, it must be brought into normal temperature by placing the container in a bowl of warm water and should be gently thawed and thawed breast milk should be used within 24 hours. Objectives: To assess the pre-test level of knowledge regarding expressed breast milk feeding. To evaluate the effectiveness of self instructional module on expressed breast milk feeding. To find the association between post-test level of knowledge and selected socio demographic variables. Method: An evaluative approach with one group pre-test and post-test Pre-experimental design was used. Self instructional module on knowledge regarding expressed breast milk feeding is administered on 50 employed lactating women within six months of postnatal period, residing at areas under Sheshadripuram Primary Health Centre. Bangalore. Result: It was found that highest improvement mean percentage 40.33% with the ‘t’ value 8.68 was obtained in knowledge regarding Collection and storage of expressed breast milk feeding, whereas the lowest mean percentage 13.33% with the ‘t’ value 3.17 was obtained in knowledge regarding breast milk feeding and its importance, the overall improvement, mean percentage was 26.8, and ‘t’ value was 14.82. The difference found to be statistically significant at p<0.01 level of confidence. Conclusion: Expressed breast milk can preserve at room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours. In the refrigerator for up to 4 days. In the freezer for about 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable.