JOURNAL OF ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN NURSING, vol.9, no.3, pp.171-178, 2023 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of mode of delivery on breastfeeding
adaptation in breastfeeding mothers.
Methods: The population of the study consisted of 350 mothers who applied to the pediatric
outpatient clinic of the university hospital for hip ultrasound scanning between March and April
2022. Questionnaire and Breastfeeding Adaptation Scale (EAS) were used to obtain the data.
Results: It was determined that the mean age of the participants was 28.37±5.46, 52.6% (n:184)
had a normal delivery and 47.4% (n:166) had a cesarean delivery.No statistical significance was
determined when the type of delivery was compared with the Breastfeeding Adaptation Scale
(BAS) total score.The mean score of the ‘emotional exchange with the baby’ sub-dimension,
which is one of the BAS sub-dimensions, was found to be significantly higher in mothers who
gave birth normally (p<0.005).When the maternal variables were compared with the BAS scores,
it was determined that the BAS scores were significantly higher in mothers with low educational
status.The BAS scores of working mothers were significantly lower. A significant difference was
determined between the income status variable and the mean BAS score.The mothers who thought
they had enough fluid had a significantly higher BAS score.The mean BAS score of mothers of
exclusively breastfed infants was found to be significantly higher than that of mothers of breastfed
and formula-fed infants.A positive and very weak significant correlation was determined between
maternal age, number of pregnancies, number of births and BAS score (p<0.005).
Conclusion: According to our research findings, mode of delivery does not affect breastfeeding
adaptation.It was concluded that as the number of births increased, breastfeeding adaptation
increased positively.
Keywords: Breastfeeding, adaptation, normal delivery, cesarean section