A study protocol in assessing knowledge attitude practices of breastfeeding amongst lactating women in Wardha, Maharashtra [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background: The best strategy for enhancing a child's health is breastfeeding. Success depends on starting breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth. Breastfeeding should begin during the first few hours of life and should be continued for the first six months, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. Early initiation of breastfeeding and six months of exclusive nursing are necessary for the infant's cognitive development. For a child to meet their developmental milestones and reduce the incidence of infant mortality in India, nutrition throughout the first 1000 days of life is essential. A substantial focus on modifying feeding habits in the first 1000 days is required. The study's objectives are to assess the knowledge regarding early initiation to exclusive breastfeeding after childbirth (within 24 hours and seven days of post-delivery) and the knowledge regarding breastfeeding techniques. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 355 lactating women are included in the age group of 20-35 years in the Wardha district. The study excludes those women who are not willing to participate, and those with medical conditions such as HIV, cancer, psychosis, active tuberculosis, complicated delivery, the baby who required neonatal NICU and neonatal resuscitation admission in the immediate post-delivery period, and those with Gross Congenital anomaly. The key outcome variables were timely and exclusive breastfeeding initiation and techniques. The data collection tool is a face-to-face questionnaire that will be developed through open data kit (ODK)) based on WHO and NFHS-4 and 5 surveys. We will analyze data through the use of Microsoft Excel software. Conclusions: Early breastfeeding initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and supplemental feeding strategies are all included in the research to assess and identify women's knowledge, attitude, and nursing practices.