Setting technical specification for nursing openings in nursing women external clothes

Breastfeeding openings and slits provide the functional aspect of nursing clothes, facilitating access to the breast to complete the breastfeeding process. Previous studies had lacked the scientific basis for designing these openings and their technical specifications, leading the researcher to propose technical specifications that are commensurate with the dimensions of the chest and bra worn by breastfeeding women, the direction of their openings, and the suggestion of appropriate closing methods and liners.

This study followed descriptive analytical and experimental methods, with a research sample of 30 breastfeeding women. Based on the opinion poll and technical analysis, two basic scenarios were prepared for nursing openings (longitudinal and transverse). The diameter of the chest circle (2×(10% of the chest circumference-1)) was used to propose the lengths of nursing openings and their different levels from the center of the chest. In addition to identify the best closing method and lining materials. A questionnaire was implemented to measure the extent to which these openings achieve the functional aspects and the suitability of the proposed closing methods and linings for the openings.

The most important results were statistically significant differences in the dimensions of the breast openings. The third dimension (11%) at the chest center level and the fifth dimension (10%) below the chest center level were the best longitudinal and traverse openings, respectively. The zipper was the best closing method, and Waxed cotton fabric was the best liner for both openings.