The Effect of Counseling on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy (BSFE) in Women with Gestational Diabetes

Different strategies have been suggested to increase successful breastfeeding, including establishing child-friendly hospitals, prenatal training courses, and various counseling models in breastfeeding self-efficacy enhancement in women with gestational diabetes. This study aimed to determine the effect of counseling on breastfeeding self-efficacy in women with gestational diabetes. The present study was a quasi-experimental intervention conducted on 100 pregnant women with gestational diabetes after obtaining informed consent. The intervention group received breastfeeding counseling based on the GATHER approach in the third trimester of pregnancy between 32 and 33 weeks and between 35 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, respectively. The follow-up process was performed in 4 sessions after delivery: 14 to 16 days after delivery and 28 to 30 days after delivery for 60 to 90 minutes. The control group, on the other hand, only received routine care. After counseling, self-efficacy was examined at the end of the study and after the third month. The data were analyzed using statistical independent t-tests and chi-square. The mean score of self-efficacy of breastfeeding at the end of the study was 55.12 in the experimental group, which was higher than that of the control group (46.16) (P =0.0001). The frequency percentage of exclusive breastfeeding was 58% in the experimental group and 22% in the control group (P =0.0001). Considering the effectiveness of breastfeeding counseling on increasing self-efficacy and continuity of breastfeeding in diabetic breastfeeding mothers, it is suggested to use prenatal and continued in postnatal for diabetic mothers.