Determination of factors affecting state-trait anxiety level of mothers whose babies stay in newborn intensive care unit and their breastfeeding success

This research was conducted as a descriptive research in order to determine state and trait anxiety levels and breastfeeding success of mothers having their babies in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Research population was 129 mothers whose babies were staying in NICU between December 2016-June 2017 in NICU of Health Science University Bursa Higher Specialization Training and Research Hospital. The data were collected by information form of mother and baby, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool. It was found that state and trait mean scores of mothers during the first and last breastfeeding decreased in the last evaluation, the mean Latch score increased and the difference between them was statistically significant (p <0.001). It was found out that there was a statistically significant relationship between the birth weights, height, head circumference and gestational week averages of the neonates and the mean LATCH score of the first and last breastfeeding. A statistically significant relationship was also found between the mean duration of hospital stay and mean LATCH score of the first breastfeeding. This study showed how sociodemographic characteristics of mothers and infants affect mothers' anxiety levels and breastfeeding success. If nursing care is planned by including mothers in the care of baby in NICU, anxiety levels of mothers can be reduced and the success of breastfeeding can be increased. Key words: Newborn, anxiety, breastfeeding, breast milk