Breastfeeding Initiation

Breastfeeding provides significant benefits for maternal and infant health; however, perceived insufficient milk supply is one of the most common factors associated with early breastfeeding discontinuation. Although the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, breastfeeding continuation rates remain suboptimal in many countries, including Türkiye. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of breastfeeding education combined with a web portal and mobile application-supported breastfeeding counseling on perceived insufficient milk supply, breastfeeding intention, and breastfeeding adaptation among pregnant women. Women at 37-39 weeks of gestation will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group will receive individualized breastfeeding education during pregnancy, educational materials, postpartum breastfeeding support, and web portal- and mobile application-supported breastfeeding counseling. Participants in the control group will receive routine hospital care. Data will be collected during pregnancy (baseline), immediately after birth, and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month postpartum follow-ups using validated scales assessing perceived insufficient milk supply, breastfeeding intention, and breastfeeding adaptation. Digital platform usage data, including the counseling topics accessed and the frequency of use, will also be evaluated in the intervention group. This study is supported as a research project and aims to develop an accessible digital breastfeeding support model that may improve breastfeeding confidence, reduce perceived insufficient milk supply, and promote breastfeeding adaptation and continuation.

Our study will assess the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and the determinants and assess knowledge and self efficacy of lactating mothers towards breastfeeding

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the effects of birth practices such as cesarean section and vacuum assisted birth and diseases such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia on exclusive breastfeeding. The main question it aims to answer is: • Does cesarean section, vacuum assisted birth, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia affect exclusive breastfeeding three months after birth? Participants answer eight online survey questions. One survey is distributed before birth and the remaining seven surveys are distributed after birth at three, seven and four-teen days, as well as one, three, six and twelve months after birth.