Social Media and Breastfeeding Self Efficacy

The Effect of Social Media Based Support on Breastfeeding Self-efficacy of Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aimed to determine the effect of breastfeeding support on women's breastfeeding self-efficacy via social media. This study was conducted maternity unit at a state hospital in Turkey. Education and consulting about breastfeeding were given via WhatsApp application to women in the intervention group. Women in the control group receive only routine breastfeeding training.

The research was conducted as a randomized controlled trial. The stratified and permutation block randomization methods were used in the study. The personal information form and BSES-SF were administered to women in the hospital before the intervention. Breastfeeding education and counseling were provided via social media (WhatsApp) to support women for breastfeeding and to ensure the continuity of breastfeeding in the postpartum period. Breastfeeding education was given to women in the first four weeks after discharge from the hospital. The control group received the routine breastfeeding postpartum educational training given to all women by healthcare personnel as part of the hospital procedures. Except for routine breastfeeding training, no intervention was applied to the control group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• being primipara
• being 18 years of age or older
• using the WhatsApp social media application
• having a newborn with a weight of 2500 grams and above
• agreeing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• being multiparity
• having a physical or mental health problem that would prevent breastfeeding
• preterm labor (before 37 weeks)
• difficult labor
• either mother or baby having a health problem after birth
• mother's substance use (drug, smoking or alcohol)