Breastfeeding
Conditions
Brief summary
Breastfeeding is a vital component of maternal and infant health, and its success is closely linked to the mother's psychological readiness, self-efficacy, and perception of milk sufficiency. In recent years, alternative educational approaches such as hypnobreastfeeding, which integrates hypnosis and relaxation techniques into prenatal education, have gained increasing attention. These approaches aim to improve maternal self-efficacy, reduce stress and anxiety during the breastfeeding period, and promote better adaptation to breastfeeding in the early postpartum phase. Traditional prenatal breastfeeding education primarily focuses on anatomical, physiological, and practical aspects of breastfeeding. While effective, this approach may not sufficiently address maternal fears, emotional barriers, or negative birth experiences that can undermine breastfeeding outcomes. In contrast, hypnobreastfeeding education incorporates guided imagery, affirmations, breathing techniques, and deep relaxation, offering a more holistic preparation for breastfeeding. Emerging studies suggest that mothers who receive hypnobreastfeeding training demonstrate higher levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy, stronger emotional bonding, better adaptation to breastfeeding, and lower perceptions of insufficient milk compared to those receiving standard education. This review explores the comparative effectiveness of hypnobreastfeeding versus traditional prenatal breastfeeding education, focusing on three key outcomes: maternal self-efficacy, breastfeeding adaptation, and perceived insufficient milk supply. The findings indicate that combining psychological readiness techniques with conventional education may enhance maternal confidence and breastfeeding continuity. Further research with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up is needed to validate the integration of hypnobreastfeeding into routine antenatal care.
Detailed description
Prenatal Education Group: Traditional prenatal education programs provide information-based training on childbirth and newborn care, including breastfeeding. This method is primarily knowledge-focused and offers mothers guidance on breastfeeding techniques, common problems, and suggested solutions. Hypnobreastfeeding Group: This method aims to help mothers develop relaxation, self-confidence, and stress management skills regarding breastfeeding through the use of hypnosis techniques. Hypnosis may support mothers in forming more positive subconscious beliefs about breastfeeding. Control Group: All first-time pregnant mothers who do not receive either traditional prenatal education or hypnobreastfeeding training will be included in this group.
Interventions
Hypnobreastfeeding education is an antenatal training method that combines: Hypnotherapy principles Guided imagery Affirmations Breathing and deep relaxation techniques
OTHERTraditional prenatal education
Traditional prenatal education programs, often referred to as antenatal or maternity school classes, are structured group sessions provided to pregnant women, typically in clinical or community settings. These classes aim to: Prepare expectant mothers for labor, birth, and postpartum care, Provide evidence-based information about breastfeeding, newborn care, and maternal recovery, Promote positive health behaviors during pregnancy, Reduce fear and anxiety by increasing knowledge and confidence.
Sponsors
Sakarya University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Gestational age between 28 and 36 weeks, Primiparous pregnant women, Age between 18 and 40 years, Singleton pregnancy, Spontaneous conception (not assisted reproductive technology), No visual or hearing impairments, No communication difficulties, Completion of traditional prenatal (antenatal) education, Completion of hypnobreastfeeding education, No medical conditions preventing breastfeeding (e.g., anatomical breast issues), Voluntary participation in the study.
Exclusion criteria
Diagnosis of high-risk pregnancy, Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.), Conception via assisted reproductive techniques, Diagnosis of a severe psychiatric disorder, Failure to complete either prenatal education or hypnobreastfeeding education, Declining to participate in the study.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| To determine the breastfeeding self-efficacy levels of mothers. | 16 weeks | Assessed using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale |
| To determine the breastfeeding Adaptation levels of mothers. | 16 weeks | (Assessed using the Breastfeeding Adaptation Scale.) |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
Primary ContactÖznur Tiryaki, Asoss.Prof.
Outcome results
None listed