Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy of Early Postpartum Mothers in an Urban Municipality in the Philippines

Abstract

Studies on women have identified breastfeeding confidence as an important variable in influencing breastfeeding outcomes. The mother’s breastfeeding self-efficacy in the early postpartum period was a strong predictor of the duration of breastfeeding. This study aims to assess the breastfeeding self-efficacy of the postpartum mothers in urban barangays of San Jose Occidental Mindoro. The respondents of the study were 200 early postpartum mothers distributed equally chosen from four purposively selected urban barangays. The data collection technique was through a survey interview using 14-item Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) and a demographic questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that postpartum mothers responded in the study were confident and has self-efficacy in breastfeeding their child as measured through technique and intrapersonal thought in breastfeeding. Moreover, the number of prenatal check up was positively correlated with breastfeeding self-efficacy. The result of the study can be used as a baseline assessment tool in the hospital at delivery to assist in identifying women who are at risk for early weaning.

Breastfeeding Self-efficacy and Related Socio-demographic, Perinatal and Psychological Factors: a Cross-sectional Study Among Postpartum Greek Women

“…Regarding the breastfeeding self-efficacy items, in this study mothers were most confident (mean score ≥ 4) about being satisfied with their breastfeeding experience, keep wanting to breastfeed, and breastfeeding with other family members present. Such findings were similar to other studies in Finland ( 31 ), and Philippines ( 30 ). On the other hand, Greek mothers were least confident (mean score < 3) about determining that infant is getting enough milk.…”

“…According to our findings, the mean overall BSES-SF score was 3.65 indicating a rather good level of breastfeeding self-efficacy. Previous studies conducted in China ( 21 ), Japan ( 22 ), Iran ( 23 ), Uganda ( 24 ), and USA ( 25 ) reported lower mean overall BSES-SF scores, while other studies in Italy ( 26 ), Croatia ( 27 ), Sweden ( 28 ), Brazil ( 29 ), and Philippines ( 30 ) reported higher mean scores of self-efficacy. The differences in mean total score of BSES-SF may be related to the use of different methodologies and early postpartum samples, such as the proportion of multiparous women or the attending antenatal breastfeeding classes, and probably due to different cultural contexts between countries.…”

“…These results showcase how crucial the role of midwives and other healthcare professionals is in providing health care and monitoring pregnant women, new mothers, and newborns. A well-informed preparation of pregnant women is also of great importance, as the number of prenatal checkup is positively correlated with breastfeeding confidence ( 30 ). This preparation should educate pregnant women and their partners about the help needed for breastfeeding in the maternity hospital and at home, and raise their awareness about detecting depressive symptoms in time ( 38 ).…”

Breastfeeding self-efficacy in adult women and its relationship with exclusive maternal breastfeeding

“…The value of self-efficacy among the study participants pointed out that most of them (83.9%) had a high level of this variable, with the mean of the BSES-SF total score being 58.62 points, corroborating with some studies carried out in the national and international scopes ( 16 - 18 ) . The present study showed a significant association between breastfeeding self-efficacy and the type of delivery, confirming studies carried out in the Philippines ( 18 ) and in the Northeastern region of Brazil ( 19 ) . It also showed a significant association between self-efficacy and the postpartum complications variable.…”

The Effect Of Educational Support Intervention For Infant Care On The Growth Rates Of Infants, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy And Quality Of Life Of Their Mothers And Sharing The Experiences Of Peer Groups: Study Protocol

“…Conducting a study on breastfeeding mothers living in a city in Philippine, Gonzales et al argued that breastfeeding self-e cacy is a substantially signi cant variable in in uencing breastfeeding outcomes. Breastfeeding self-e cacy in the early postpartum period is an important predictor of breastfeeding duration (21).…”