Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Attitudes, Breastfeeding Consultancy Training, Breastfeeding Education, Breastfeeding Initiation, Breastfeeding Outcomes, Breastfeeding Support
Conditions
Keywords
Breastfeeding education, Breastfeeding Counseling, Perception of Insufficient Milk Supply, Web Portal Support, Breastfeeding Adaptation, Mobile Application
Brief summary
Breastfeeding provides significant benefits for maternal and infant health; however, perceived insufficient milk supply is one of the most common factors associated with early breastfeeding discontinuation. Although the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, breastfeeding continuation rates remain suboptimal in many countries, including Türkiye. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of breastfeeding education combined with a web portal and mobile application-supported breastfeeding counseling on perceived insufficient milk supply, breastfeeding intention, and breastfeeding adaptation among pregnant women. Women at 37-39 weeks of gestation will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group will receive individualized breastfeeding education during pregnancy, educational materials, postpartum breastfeeding support, and web portal- and mobile application-supported breastfeeding counseling. Participants in the control group will receive routine hospital care. Data will be collected during pregnancy (baseline), immediately after birth, and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month postpartum follow-ups using validated scales assessing perceived insufficient milk supply, breastfeeding intention, and breastfeeding adaptation. Digital platform usage data, including the counseling topics accessed and the frequency of use, will also be evaluated in the intervention group. This study is supported as a research project and aims to develop an accessible digital breastfeeding support model that may improve breastfeeding confidence, reduce perceived insufficient milk supply, and promote breastfeeding adaptation and continuation.
Detailed description
Breastfeeding is a critical component of maternal and infant health, providing essential nutritional, immunological, and developmental benefits for infants while supporting maternal health and well-being. Despite the established benefits of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, as recommended by the World Health Organization, many mothers experience challenges in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding. Perceived insufficient milk supply is one of the most frequently reported concerns among breastfeeding mothers and may negatively affect breastfeeding confidence, breastfeeding intention, and continuation of breastfeeding. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of a breastfeeding education program combined with a web portal and mobile application-supported breastfeeding counseling on perceived insufficient milk supply, breastfeeding intention, and breastfeeding adaptation among pregnant women. The study is designed to investigate whether continuous digital support, integrated with structured prenatal breastfeeding education, can provide sustained guidance and improve breastfeeding-related outcomes during the postpartum period. Pregnant women at 37-39 weeks of gestation will be recruited and randomly allocated to either an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group will receive individualized face-to-face breastfeeding education during pregnancy. The education will include evidence-based breastfeeding information delivered through verbal instruction, question-and-answer sessions, visual educational materials, and demonstration techniques using a newborn model. Participants will also receive a written educational booklet. Following childbirth, mothers in the intervention group will receive support during the initiation of breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding counseling through a web portal and mobile application throughout the postpartum period. Participants assigned to the control group will receive routine hospital maternity care. Data will be collected at five assessment points: during pregnancy as a baseline assessment, immediately after childbirth during the hospital stay, and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month postpartum follow-ups. Baseline maternal characteristics will be collected using a Sociodemographic Information Form, which includes demographic, socioeconomic, health-related, and breastfeeding-related characteristics. Breastfeeding-related outcomes will be assessed using validated measurement instruments, including the Infant Feeding Intention Scale, Perceived Insufficient Milk Supply Scale, Breastfeeding Adaptation Scale, and Breastfeeding Attitude Assessment Scale. These instruments will be used to evaluate changes in mothers' breastfeeding intention, perceptions regarding milk sufficiency, breastfeeding attitudes, and adaptation to breastfeeding over the follow-up period. In addition, digital platform engagement data will be collected for participants in the intervention group. Information regarding accessed counseling topics, frequency of platform use, and participant interactions with digital breastfeeding support services will be recorded and evaluated. By integrating face-to-face breastfeeding education with continuous digital counseling support, this study aims to provide evidence for an accessible, sustainable breastfeeding support model. The findings may contribute to the development of evidence-based digital health interventions that support breastfeeding adaptation, address breastfeeding-related concerns, and promote breastfeeding continuation among mothers.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALIntervention Group
The intervention consists of a structured breastfeeding education program combined with a web portal and mobile application-supported breastfeeding counseling. Pregnant women at 37-39 weeks of gestation will receive individualized face-to-face breastfeeding education, including evidence-based breastfeeding information, question-and-answer sessions, visual educational materials, and demonstration techniques using a newborn model. Participants will also receive a written booklet on breastfeeding education. Following childbirth, participants will receive support during the initiation of breastfeeding and continuous breastfeeding counseling through a web portal and mobile application during the 6-month postpartum follow-up period. The digital platform will provide breastfeeding-related educational resources, professional guidance, and support for breastfeeding-related concerns. Usage data, including accessed topics and frequency of platform engagement, will be recorded for evaluation.
Sponsors
Aydin Adnan Menderes University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Participants and care providers will not be blinded due to the nature of the intervention. Outcome assessment and statistical analysis will be performed by independent researchers blinded to group allocation.
Intervention model description
Participants will be randomly assigned in a parallel-group design to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group will receive individualized breastfeeding education during pregnancy, postpartum breastfeeding support, and web portal- and mobile application-supported breastfeeding counseling. The control group will receive routine maternity care provided by the hospital. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline during pregnancy, immediately after childbirth, and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month postpartum follow-up assessments.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 49 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Pregnant women at 37-39 weeks of gestation. * Being 18 years of age or older. * Planning to give birth at the study hospital. * Planning to breastfeed their newborn. * Having a singleton pregnancy. * Having a healthy pregnancy without conditions requiring high-risk pregnancy management. * Being able to communicate verbally and understand the study procedures. * Having access to a smartphone and/or internet connection to use the web portal and mobile application (for participants assigned to the intervention group). * Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study and providing written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Having a medical condition that contraindicates breastfeeding. * Having a pregnancy complication requiring intensive medical follow-up or early delivery. * Multiple pregnancy (e.g., twins or higher-order pregnancies). * Planned cesarean delivery due to medical indications that may interfere with the breastfeeding initiation process (if applicable according to your protocol). * Having a newborn requiring neonatal intensive care admission after birth. * Previous participation in a structured breastfeeding education or digital breastfeeding counseling program during the current pregnancy. * Inability to complete study questionnaires or participate in follow-up assessments. * Not having access to the required digital tools for the intervention group. * Withdrawal of informed consent at any stage of the study.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Personal information form before intervention | Day 1 (During recruitment) | Evaluation of women using personal information. This tool includes questions on women's sociodemographic characteristics |
| Perceived Insufficient Milk Supply | Baseline (during pregnancy at 37-39 weeks of gestation), and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month postpartum follow-ups | Participants' perceived milk supply will be assessed using the Perceived Insufficient Milk Supply Scale. The scale evaluates mothers' perceptions regarding breast milk adequacy and concerns about insufficient milk production. Changes in perceived insufficient milk supply between the intervention and control groups will be evaluated throughout the follow-up period. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Breastfeeding Intention | Baseline (during pregnancy at 37-39 weeks of gestation), and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month postpartum follow-ups | Breastfeeding intention will be assessed using the Infant Feeding Intention Scale. This measure assesses mothers' intentions regarding infant feeding practices and the planned duration of breastfeeding. Changes in breastfeeding intention between the intervention and control groups will be evaluated during the study period. |
| Breastfeeding Adaptation | At 1-, 3-, and 6-month postpartum follow-ups | Breastfeeding adaptation will be assessed using the Breastfeeding Adaptation Scale. This measure evaluates mothers' adaptation to the breastfeeding process, including breastfeeding-related experiences, confidence, and adjustment during the postpartum period. Changes in breastfeeding adaptation scores between the intervention and control groups will be evaluated throughout the follow-up period. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
CONTACTGonca Buran, Assoc Prof
STUDY_DIRECTORGonca Buran, Asson Prof
Uludag University
Outcome results
None listed