Investigation of the perceptions of breast milk of mothers with preterm babies in terms of some variables

This research was conducted as a descriptive, relational and cross-sectional study to examine the breast milk perceptions of mothers with preterm babies in terms of some variables. The population of the research consisted of mothers whose preterm babies were hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University (TOGÜ) Research and Application Hospital between August 2022 and February 2023, and the sample of the study consisted of mothers (n = 150) who met the inclusion criteria for the study. The research data were collected by the researcher using the "Mother Introduction Form", "Preterm Baby Introduction Form", "Breast Milk Perception Scale of Mothers with Preterm Babies (ASAS)", "Newborn Perception Scale (YAS)" and "Mother-Baby Attachment Scale (ABBÖ)". collected. The data were collected in three stages: the first stage (day 0), in which pre-test data were collected, the second stage (day 30), in which repetitions of the scales were applied and breastfeeding continuity was questioned, and the third stage (day 90), in which breastfeeding continuity was questioned. In the statistical analysis of the study; descriptive statistics (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, etc.), t-test in independent groups, one-way analysis of variance, Cronbach's Alpha, correlation and regression analyzes in relational evaluation, and Post Hoc Tukey HSD and Tamhane T2 tests were used in pairwise comparisons. Additionally, Cohran's Q and Marginal Homogeneity tests were applied to evaluate the distributions between repeated measurements and categorical data. Data were evaluated at the p<0.05 significance level. 40.0% of the mothers participating in the research were between the ages of 25-29, 42.0% were primary school graduates, 69.3% were housewives, 64.0% lived in the city center, 67.3% had a nuclear family structure and 95.3% had social security. It was found to have . The total mean scores of ASAÖ (Day 0) and ABBÖ (Day 30) are 87.19±11.35 and 90.88±14.74, respectively, and the total mean scores of ABBÖ (Day 0) and ABBÖ (Day 30) are 20.98±3.02 and 21.11±2.82, respectively. was found as. The total mean score of the mothers on the YAS was -3.91±4.58, and it was determined that 74.7% of them perceived their babies negatively. The mothers' ASAÖ (day 0) total score averages were statistically significant in terms of education, family type, social security, pregnancy planning, receiving prenatal breastfeeding training, the way of using the first milk, opinions about the amount of breast milk, and spouse and environmental support regarding breastfeeding. It was determined that there was a significant difference (p <0.05). It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in the mothers' total ASAÖ (day 30) mean scores in terms of education, family type, social security, pre-pregnancy infertility treatment, milk expression methods, baby's nutrition style and opinions about the amount of breast milk (p < 0.05). In the advanced regression analysis, it was found that the presence of social security significantly predicted the ASAÖ (day 0) total score averages. In addition, it was found that receiving infertility treatment before pregnancy and expressing an adequate opinion about the amount of breast milk increased the ASAÖ (30th day) total score average. The findings show that some variables affect the perception of breast milk of mothers of preterm babies. In this regard, it seems necessary to conduct further research to empower mothers of preterm babies to exclusively breastfeed and to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding to the optimum level. Additionally, this study may guide health professionals and educators in creating more effective education and awareness programs for mothers of preterm babies at certain periods. Key Words: Breast Milk, Baby Perception, Breastfeeding, Preterm Baby, Milk Perception,