2020 Volume 40 Pages 168-176
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the breastfeeding self-efficacy (BSE) of mothers with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) beyond one month from starting breastfeeding, and to identify factors associated with BSE.
Method: This was a longitudinal observational study. Using self-reported questionnaires, BSE and potentially relevant factors of mothers with infants in the NICU were measured at two time points: 3–7 days and one month after starting breastfeeding. We analyzed the relevant factors with models: cross-sectional association and prediction of BSE at the second time point; using multivariable regression analysis.
Results: A total of 97 mothers were included in this analysis. The factors that affect BSE beyond one month after starting breastfeeding were the mother’s age (partial regression coefficient: B = –.34, p = .048), primipara (B = –4.56, p = .005), perception of insufficient milk (PIM; B = 1.63, p < .001) and sense of coherence (SOC; B = .33, p = .029). The factors predicting BSE were PIM (B = 1.19, p < .001) and SOC (B = .75, p < .001) at 3–7 days after starting breastfeeding.
Conclusion: This study found that PIM and SOC predicted BSE of mothers with infants in the NICU between 3–7 days and one month after starting breastfeeding.
