Comparison of support needs, breastfeeding self-efficacy perceptions, and maternal attachment levels of primiparous and multiparous mothers

The postpartum period is a critical phase during which the experiences and needs of primiparous and multiparous mothers differ, with perceived social support, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and maternal attachment coming to the forefront. This study was conducted as a descriptive and comparative research to examine and compare the support needs, breastfeeding self-efficacy perceptions, and maternal attachment levels of primiparous and multiparous mothers.The sample of the study consisted of 330 mothers who had infants aged between 3 and 12 months and who applied to the pediatric outpatient clinics of a medical faculty hospital between December 2024 and June 2025. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form for Primiparous Mothers, the Personal Information Form for Multiparous Mothers, the "Importance of Need" subscale of the Postpartum Support Questionnaire (PSQ), the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form (BSES-SF), and the Maternal Attachment Inventory (MAI). Data analysis was performed using the SPSS statistical software.The total postpartum support scores of primiparous mothers were significantly higher than those of multiparous mothers (p < 0.05). In particular, primiparous mothers scored significantly higher in the informational support and comparison subscales compared to multiparous mothers (p < 0.05). Breastfeeding self-efficacy levels were significantly higher among multiparous mothers (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between primiparous and multiparous mothers in terms of maternal attachment levels (p > 0.05).These findings indicate that primiparous mothers require greater social support during the postpartum period, while multiparous mothers demonstrate higher levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy. The results suggest that structuring midwifery services in the postpartum period to specifically address the emotional needs and informational demands of primiparous mothers may play a supportive role in facilitating adaptation to motherhood. Furthermore, reinforcing the breastfeeding experiences of multiparous mothers through midwifery counseling is important for sustaining breastfeeding self-efficacy.