Structured Breastfeeding Education In Infants With Breast Refusal

The Impact Of Structured Breastfeeding Education On Sucking Function, Breastfeeding Motivation, And Mother-Infant Attachment In Infants With Breast Refusal: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effects of structured breastfeeding education supported by midwives on the sucking skills of infants experiencing nipple refusal, maternal breastfeeding motivation, and mother-infant bonding. The study will be conducted with mothers who have infants aged 1-6 months and have been experiencing nipple refusal for at least 3 days and up to 30 days. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group; the intervention group will receive a one-week structured breastfeeding education program, while the control group will receive standard care. Following the education, online support will be provided for 15 days, and breastfeeding observations will be monitored. Sucking skills of the infants, mother-infant bonding, and maternal breastfeeding motivation will be assessed at both baseline and post-intervention evaluations.

This study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of structured breastfeeding education on the sucking skills of infants experiencing nipple refusal, maternal breastfeeding motivation, and mother-infant bonding. Participants will include mothers with infants aged 1-6 months who have experienced nipple refusal for 3 to 30 days. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participating mothers, and they will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group.

Mothers in the intervention group will receive structured breastfeeding education through individual or group sessions lasting one hour per day for one week. The education will cover topics such as nipple refusal, benefits of breast milk, breastfeeding techniques, methods to increase milk production, skin-to-skin contact, the importance of mother-infant bonding, and motivation-enhancing strategies. Following the education, participants will receive online support for 15 days, and breastfeeding progress will be monitored through daily observation forms.

The control group will receive only standard medical care, and an educational brochure will be provided after the study is completed. At baseline, mothers' demographic and obstetric information, infants' sucking skills, mother-infant bonding, and maternal breastfeeding motivation will be assessed. At the end of the education and follow-up period, a post-intervention evaluation will be conducted on day 16 using the same measurements, and the results will be compared.

This study aims to determine whether structured breastfeeding education improves the sucking skills of infants experiencing nipple refusal, strengthens mother-infant bonding, and positively influences maternal breastfeeding motivation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Inclusion Criteria (Dahil Etme Kriterleri):

Mothers with infants aged 1-6 months

Mothers of infants who have experienced nipple refusal for 3-30 days

Mothers who provide written informed consent

Mothers without pregnancy or postpartum complications

Mothers who are literate and able to understand the study questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

• Infants with serious congenital anomalies or health problems

Mothers with severe psychiatric or chronic illnesses

Any medical condition in the mother or infant that prevents participation

Mothers who refuse to complete the study or cannot comply with the follow-up