The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between knowledge of breast feeding and practice of feeding pattern. A sample of 117 mothers who have the babies between age from 1 month to 12 months were selected from one university hospital and one public heath care center in J city. The data were collected with the questionnaire during the period from the January. 5, 2002 through January. 30, 2002. Analysis was done by using frequency, percentage, t-test, analysis of variance, and scheffe test. The results of this study can be summarized as follows. Comparision of the method of feeding by general characters. Income state, rearing (p=.019), rearing supporters(p=.026), infant age(p=.03) have shown significant difference as the variables affecting Breast practice rate. Breastfeeding rate were 24.8%, mixedfeeding type, 14.5%, milkfeeding type, 60.7%. The mean of knowledge on breastfeeding by feeding patterns were the highest in the group of breastfeeding. There was statistical significance between the group of breast feeding and milkfeeding(p=.000). In the conclusion, this study revealed that knowledge of breastfeeding promoted practice of breastfeeding. Therefore, to promote practice of breastfeeding, it is necessary that nurses provide adequate information about knowledge of breastfeeding. |