Predictors of Breastfeeding Confidence in the Early Postpartum Period

Abstract

Objective: To identify factors related to breastfeeding self-efficacy, an important psychological variable in sustained breastfeeding, in the postpartum period.

Design: Descriptive correlational study.

Setting: Data were collected on the mother-baby unit of an academic medical center in the Northeastern United States.

Participants: This convenience sample (N = 107) was composed of women in the first 4 days postpartum and included nearly equal numbers of primiparas (49.5%, n = 53) and multiparas (50.5%, n = 54).

Methods: Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale-10, Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form, and a demographic questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.

Results: Breastfeeding self-efficacy was positively correlated with birth satisfaction, number of children, partner support of breastfeeding, intention to breastfeed, intention to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, and feeling prepared for birth. Breastfeeding self-efficacy was greater in women with previous breastfeeding experience and lower in mothers of newborns who received in-hospital formula supplementation. A standard multiple linear regression explained approximately 38.5% of the variance in self-efficacy scores.

Conclusion: Nurses can apply our findings to inform strategies to increase breastfeeding confidence, such as promoting birth satisfaction, involving partners in breastfeeding education, and limiting the use of in-hospital formula supplementation.

Keywords: birth satisfaction; breastfeeding; confidence; perceived stress; self-efficacy.