The Effect of Breastfeeding Education and Skin-to-Skin Contact on Breastfeeding Efficiency and Maternal Attachment: A Randomized Controlled Study

Çitil Canbay F., Çitil E. T., Değirmen N.

EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND CARE, vol.1, pp.1-15, 2024 (SSCI)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 1
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Journal Name: EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND CARE
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, IBZ Online, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Psycinfo
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-15
  • Kütahya Health Sciences University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) and breastfeeding education have many benefits for both mother and newborn. These practices have positive results on maternal attachment and breastfeeding effectiveness. The study aimed to compare the effects of breastfeeding education and skin-to-skin contact on breastfeeding efficiency and maternal attachment. This study was a three-group randomized controlled study. This study was conducted with 92 women in a delivery room in Turkey between October 2021 and May 2022. The study consists of continuous early SSC (Group A), breastfeeding education (Group B), and control groups (Group C). Group A received SSC education and Group B received structured breastfeeding education. In obtaining research data; The mother-infant information form, Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool and Maternal Attachment Inventory were used. The groups were homogeneous in terms of sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics (p>0.05). The levels of maternal attachment and breastfeeding activity of mothers in Group A were effective (p=.000). While SSC education was more effective than breastfeeding education in terms of these variables (p=.000), no significant difference was found in the control group.These findings may encourage professional support in enhancing breastfeeding efficiency and maternal attachment. This study provides evidence that SSC and breastfeeding education have positive effects on postpartum maternal and infant health.