Assessment of breastfeeding-related healthcare and their association with breastfeeding motivation

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding (BF) is one of the best ways to ensure healthy growth and development for newborns. However, for successful BF, mothers often need knowledge, assistance, and support from the healthcare professionals. The aim of the study is to evaluate the attitudes of Lithuanian mothers towards BF related healthcare services and their associations with BF motivation. METHODS: Data was collected in June 2022 using a quantitative research method by anonymous questionnaire survey. 572 Lithuanian mothers who carried to a full-term and gave birth to a healthy baby were interviewed between the 2nd-6th month postpartum (response rate 38.9%). BF motivation was evaluated by 24 items scale, developed by Kestler-Peleg et al. BF related healthcare services were evaluated by the Ten steps to successful BF scale which consists of 22 items. The sum scores of the scales, means, and standard deviations (SD) were calculated. Relationships between evaluation of health care services and motivation were determined by Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The respondents rated BF related healthcare services as average (65.3 (SD 20.1) out of 110 points). The services provided by healthcare professionals in the first hours after birth were rated the best (3.76 (SD 1.1) out of 5 points), BF services related to the help of health care professionals to successfully breastfeed the baby in the future the worst (2.40 (SD 1.0) out of 5 points). A weak positive but statistically significant correlations were found between the evaluation of the provided healthcare services related to BF and BF motivation: as the evaluation scores of BF related services increased, women's BF motivation also increased (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The respondents rated the healthcare related to BF as average, especially services that can determine successful long-term BF. Improving the quality of health care services related to BF can lead to greater motivation and success among women in BF their babies. KEY MESSAGES: • Mothers of infants aged 2-6 months rated health care related to BF in Lithuania as average. • A weak positive but statistically significant correlations were found between motivation to breastfeed and assessment of BF related healthcare services.