Abstract:

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of breastfeeding education given to parents in the early postpartum period on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, breastfeeding success and breastfeeding self-efficacy levels of mothers. Materials and Methods: This study had three groups including a control (n=49), intervention I (n=48) and intervention II group (n=48). As a nursing intervention, breastfeeding training using pre-structured training modules was given only to the mothers in intervention group 1 and to both the mothers and fathers in Intervention group 2. Routine nursing services were provided to the families in the control group. The infant feeding behaviors of the mothers in all three groups were monitored until the end of the sixth month. The parental introductory information form, infant follow-up form, LATCH diagnosis and evaluation scale and breastfeeding self-efficacy scale were used to collect the data. Results: It was determined that the breastfeeding training given to mothers increased breastfeeding self-efficacy levels and breastfeeding success and this increase was statistically significant (p<0.05). It was determined that the difference between the supplemental nursing systems feeding rates for the intervention groups at the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th months were significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Breastfeeding training increased the mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, but the fathers’ support made no significant difference.

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