Comparing maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy during first week and sixth week postpartum

INTRODUCTION: The ideal nourishment for the first 12 months of a child’s life comes from breastfeeding its mother’s milk, and maternal self-efficacy is one factor which affects breastfeeding duration. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy during the first week and sixth-week postpartum. METHODS: This descriptive, analytical study was conducted on 767 women referring to the Family Health Research Center of Rasht in 2014. Mothers were selected through continuous sampling. For data collection, we used demographic questionnaires, and Dennis breastfeeding self-efficacy scale. For data analysis, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression were performed using SPSS version 19. RESULTS: In this study, most mothers had scores compatible with moderate self-efficacy in the first week, and in the sixth week had high self-efficacy for breastfeeding. There was a significant relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy (BSE) score and employment status (p<0.0001). Also, we found significant BSE score differences between primiparous and multiparous women (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Results of the study indicate that breastfeeding duration increases the breastfeeding self-efficacy levels. So, Developing and implementing appropriate approaches are needed to improve breastfeeding duration in mothers.