Perception and Practice Related to Postural Pain Among Breastfeeding Women in Hyderabad, Sindh

Shuaib Manzoor; Manoj Kumar; Marva Memon; Ume Rubab Ursani; Ahsan Memon; Tooba Shaikh; Kainat Batool Memon

doi:10.61919/7t2m1h79

Authors

Shuaib Manzoor Lecturer, Jeejal Maau Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan Author
Manoj Kumar Principal, Jeejal Maau Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan Author
Marva Memon Lecturer, Jeejal Maau Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan Author
Ume Rubab Ursani Lecturer, Jeejal Maau Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan Author
Ahsan Memon Physiotherapist, Indus Medical Hospital, Badin, Sindh, Pakistan Author
Tooba Shaikh Lecturer, Jeejal Maau Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan Author
Kainat Batool Memon Clinical Physiotherapist, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61919/7t2m1h79

Keywords:

Breastfeeding, Postural Pain, Musculoskeletal Discomfort, Breastfeeding Position, Postpartum Women.

Abstract

Background: Postural pain is a common but under-recognized concern among breastfeeding women because feeding often requires prolonged static posture, repetitive upper-limb loading, forward trunk or neck flexion, and inadequate ergonomic support. Limited professional guidance regarding breastfeeding posture may further increase maternal discomfort. Objective: To assess perception and practices related to postural pain among breastfeeding women in Hyderabad, Sindh. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted over six months among 210 breastfeeding mothers aged 18–40 years and 6 weeks to 24 months postpartum. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from four hospitals in Hyderabad, Sindh. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, breastfeeding posture, pain/discomfort, coping responses, techniques used to reduce discomfort, and sources of advice. Pain severity was assessed using a 0–10 pain scale and categorized descriptively. Categorical variables were analyzed as frequencies and percentages. Results: Pain or discomfort during breastfeeding was reported by 177 participants (84.3%). Moderate pain was reported by 88 participants (41.9%), and severe pain by 61 participants (29.0%). Discomfort was most commonly experienced during the full feeding session (33.6%). Cradle hold was the most frequently reported breastfeeding position (43.1% of position responses), followed by cross-cradle hold (27.7%). Use of discomfort-reduction techniques was reported by 57.1% of participants, while family members were the most common source of advice (50.0% of advice responses). Conclusion: Breastfeeding-related postural pain was frequent and commonly moderate to severe among women in this sample. The findings highlight the need for structured postural education and physiotherapy-informed ergonomic guidance during antenatal and postnatal care

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