Abstract:

Objective: In our study, it was aimed to evaluate the factors affecting the success of breastfeeding in mothers who had just given birth. Material and Methods: Our study, which is an observational cross-sectional type, was conducted with mothers of infants who applied to Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital Pediatric Health and Neonatal Follow-up Clinics between 01.03.2020–31.05.2020. A questionnaire of demographic data of mother and babies, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale‐Short Form, Maternal Infant Attachment Scale, and LATCH-Breastfeeding Assessment Tool were administered face to face. Results: Three hundred and thirty-two babies were included in the study. Of the babies, 169 (51%) were male and 302 (91%) were only fed with breast milk. It was observed that mothers who fed their babies exclusively with breast milk had higher breastfeeding success (p=0.042) and breastfeeding self-efficacy (p=0.014) compared to other mothers. Mothers' LATCH tool score, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale score, Maternal Infant Attachment Scale score and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score were 8.80±1.38; 61.36±8.69; 2.10 ±2.36 and 7.70±4.70, respectively. The cut-off value for Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form of mothers with depression risk was calculated as below 64 points (AUC: 0.585, p=0.01 95% CI: 0.523-0.648). Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form score was associated with parity (p=0.034 r=0.116), increasing maternal age (p=0.031, r=0.119), long marriage duration (p=0.002 r=0.173), and Maternal Infant Attachment Scale score (p <0.001, r=-0.215). There was no difference in breastfeeding success between mothers whith and without prenatal breastfeeding training (p=0.779). The only factor affecting breastfeeding success was previous breastfeeding experience (OR: 0.531 p=0.021 95% CI: 0.310-0.910). Conclusion: Our study observed that mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy was high and related to strong mother-baby attachment. The ineffectiveness of breastfeeding education in breastfeeding success has drawn attention to the necessity of training to strengthen mother-baby attachment.

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