Abstract:

The descriptive study was carried out to determine the postpartum depression symptoms and breastfeeding self-efficacies of the mothers who have their babies hospitalized in a newborn clinic.The population consisted of the mothers who have their babies were hospitalized in a state hospital's newborn clinic in the Province of Elazig. Data were collected by the researchers by using a questionnaire prepared in the light of literature, the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Numbers, percentages and averages were given for the data assessment, and t-test, Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis, One Way ANOVA tests were used for the statistical analysis. Mothers participating in the study were found to score average 40.63±10. 22 points in Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, and average 14.32±6.91 points in EPDS. In the study, a statistically significant difference was found between the level of Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and the gestational age (p <0.05). 61.8% of the mothers had symptoms of depression. In the study, a statistically significant difference was found between the mothers' symptoms of depression and age, pregnancy planning, the baby's nutritional status (p <0.05). In the study, the degree of breastfeeding self-efficacies of the mothers who have their babies hospitalized in a newborn clinic was found low and the majority of mothers had the depression symptoms.

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