The effect of individual breastfeeding counseling on the lactation process

Objective: To determine the effect of individual breastfeeding counseling on the lactation process. Material and Method: The research is a randomized controlled experimental study. The sample of the study consisted of pregnant women who applied to the Obstetrics Polyclinic of a university hospital (intervention=51, control=51). In the study, individual breastfeeding education was given to the intervention group during the antenatal period, and a training booklet was given to the control group. In the postpartum period, home visits and phone follow-ups were carried out for both groups between the fifth day and the sixth month. The effect of breastfeeding counseling on the lactation process; The duration of exclusive breastfeeding, breast problems and breastfeeding success was evaluated with. The data of the study were collected using the Pregnant, Postpartum-Newborn Information Form, Breastfeeding Questionnaire, Breast Problems Diagnosis Form, LATCH Breastfeeding Diagnostic Tool and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale. Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups in all follow-ups in terms of the variable of exclusive breastfeednig of mothers in the intervention and control groups (p<0.05). It was determined that the mothers in the control group experienced more nipple cracking, nipple pain, engorgement and duct obstruction breast problems, and there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p<0.05). A difference was found between the two groups in the LATCH Breastfeeding Diagnostic Measurement Tool total scores at the fifth and fifteenth days of follow-up (p<0.05). Breastfeeding self-efficacy scale total scores were found to be different between the two groups in all follow-ups (p<0.05). Conclusions: As a result of the research, it was determined that mothers who were given individual breastfeeding counseling exclusive breastfeeding for a longer period of time, had fewer breast problems, and had higher breastfeeding proficiency. Key Words: Individual Counseling, Exclusive Breastfeeding, Breast Problems, Breastfeeding Success, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy