Breast milk is of great importance for preterm infants in terms of optimal growth, immune system development, and neurodevelopment. However, mothers who give birth prematurely may face various challenges during the breastfeeding process due to their infants' need for monitoring in the neonatal intensive care unit, mother-infant separation, and the need to pump breast milk. This situation can negatively affect the experience of expressing breast milk and the mother's perception of her competence in caring for her baby.
The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effect of web-based breastfeeding counseling on the breast milk expression experience and the competence in caring for a preterm infant among mothers of preterm infants. A total of 56 mothers who gave birth preterm at 30 weeks of gestation or later and whose infants are being monitored in the neonatal intensive care unit will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups.
Mothers in the intervention group will have access to a Moodle-based training program that includes video training on breastfeeding counseling and care for premature infants, as well as the opportunity to ask the researcher questions online. Mothers in the control group, on the other hand, will continue to receive the hospital's routine education and care services.
The primary outcome measures of the study will be assessed using the Breastfeeding Experience Scale and the Premature Infant Care Competence Assessment Tool. Measurements will be taken at the start of the study, following the training, and at the end of the one-month follow-up period to examine the effect of web-based counseling on mothers' breastfeeding experience and care competence.
To be a first-time mother (primipara).
To have had a preterm birth at 30 weeks or more of gestation.
For the baby to be hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit.
For the newborn to have no medical condition that prevents breastfeeding.
Mothers with a medical condition contraindicating breastfeeding.
Infants with a major congenital anomaly or medical condition preventing breast milk feeding.
Withdrawal of consent or inability to complete follow-up assessments.
Parallel
Web-Based Breastfeeding Counseling and Infant Care Program
BehavioralParticipants assigned to the intervention group will receive a web-based breastfeeding counseling program delivered through a Moodle-based platform in addition to routine hospital care. The program includes evidence-based educational videos on breastfeeding, breast milk expression techniques, breast milk storage, kangaroo care, management of common breastfeeding problems, preterm infant care, and post-discharge care. Participants may access the educational materials at any time during the study and communicate with the researcher through the platform for counseling and support.
control group
Other interventionParticipants assigned to the control group will receive the standard postpartum care and routine breastfeeding education provided by the hospital. No additional web-based breastfeeding counseling or educational program will be provided during the study period.
A Tool for Measuring the Caregiving Competence of Mothers of Premature Infants (CUIDAR-MaPre)
The scale consists of 32 items across 7 subdimensions. The maximum possible score on the scale is 128; scores of 64 or below indicate low care competence, scores between 65 and 102 indicate moderate care competence, and scores of 103 or higher indicate high care competence. There are no reverse-scored items on the scale. Responses are almost never rated as "1," rarely as "2," frequently as "3," and almost always as "4."
Breast Milk Expression Experience Scale
The scale consists of 11 items and three subscales. The lowest possible score on the scale is 1, and the highest is 5. When the mean total score on the scale is less than 3, mothers' breast-milk expression experience is considered negative; when it is higher than 3, it is considered positive. The scale consists of the subdimensions of social support, personal experience, and learning experience. Item 7 on the scale is reverse-coded. The scale's Cronbach's alpha value is 0.82.
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