Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Among First-Time Mothers: A Mixed-Methods Study Comparing Spontaneous and Assisted...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Maternal and Child Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Breastfeeding self-efficacy is vital for successful lactation.
• Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are increasingly used for conception.
• Understanding factors influencing breastfeeding self-efficacy in diverse conception groups is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare breastfeeding self-efficacy between first-time mothers who conceived spontaneously and those who conceived via ART in Turkey.
• To explore the experiences of mothers with low breastfeeding self-efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory sequential mixed-methods design.
• Quantitative data from 100 mothers (50 spontaneous, 50 ART) using a breastfeeding self-efficacy scale.
• Qualitative in-depth interviews with six mothers experiencing breastfeeding difficulties.

Main Results:

• Mothers conceiving spontaneously demonstrated significantly higher breastfeeding self-efficacy than ART-conceived mothers.
• Key factors influencing self-efficacy included emotional adjustment, social expectations, and physical challenges.
• A notable gap in targeted breastfeeding education and postnatal support was identified.

Conclusions:

• Individualized, culturally sensitive interventions are needed, especially for ART mothers.
• Addressing psychological and physical postpartum aspects can enhance breastfeeding outcomes.
• Support strategies should be tailored to the unique needs of mothers conceiving through ART.