engleski

The relationship between self-efficacy and breastfeeding difficulties with breastfeeding during their stay in the maternity ward

Abstract The aim was to examine the incidence of breastfeeding difficulties and the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the maternity hospital and their relationship with breastfeeding self-efficacy. The study included a cohort sample of 772 women who gave birth at Clinical Hospital “Sv. Duh”, Croatia, between November 2010 and January 2011. In-hospital breastfeeding mothers completed questionnaire that included selected demographic data, breastfeeding difficulties during the first 48 hours after birth, and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). Data on newborn feeding were collected from the medical records. The chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation coefficient were used on statistical analysis. Breastfeeding difficulties were reported by 450 (58.3%) mothers. The BSES-SF scores were significantly correlated to the number of breastfeeding difficulties (rS= -0.33, p < 0.001). Mothers with low breastfeeding self-efficacy often reported breastfeeding difficulties (64.4% vs. 36.5%, p<0.001) and were significantly more likely to breastfed partially compared to mothers with high breastfeeding self-efficacy (69.5% vs. 30.5%, p<0.001). Difficulties with breastfeeding technique, sore and cracked nipples, engorgement and perceived insufficient milk supply were more often reported by mothers with low breastfeeding self-efficacy compared to mothers with high breastfeeding self-efficacy. Results indicated that the mothers with low breastfeeding self-efficacy had an increased risk of experiencing breastfeeding difficulties and cessation of exclusive breastfeeding during the maternity hospital stay. This study provides further support that breastfeeding self-efficacy significantly influences early breastfeeding outcomes.

effectiveness of breast-feeding ; difficulty breastfeeding ; maternity

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