Breastfeeding Practices and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy of Mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: The research was conducted to examine the breastfeeding practices and breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. Material and Methods: The research is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Between February and April 2021, the data for the research was collected using electronic surveys produced with Google Forms. The study's sample consisted of 220 women who were contacted in this manner and met the study's inclusion criteria. Data was collected using a Data Collection Form and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form (BSES). Results: The mothers' mean BSES score was found to be 49.84±12.12. It was found that there was a statistically significant difference between the mothers' state of being affected by the breastfeeding process during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the place where the baby slept during the breastfeeding period, and the mean scores of the BSES (p