Breastfeeding performance in Iranian women

Aim Studies have shown that breastfeeding has both short‐term and long‐term useful effects on mother's and newborn's health. This study was conducted with the aim of determining predictors of breastfeeding performance in women who were referred to health centres in Tabriz City, Iran, in 2014 to 2015. Methods This cross‐sectional study cluster‐sampled 220 breastfeeding women with infants aged 4 to 6 months. The Breastfeeding Self‐Efficacy Scale, the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale, the personal resource questionnaire‐85, and a researcher‐developed knowledge questionnaire were used to collect data. Multivariate linear regression model was used to determine predictors of breastfeeding performance. Results The results showed that participants' breastfeeding performance mean (SD) value was 3.6 (1.2) of 6. There were significant relationships between breastfeeding performance and breastfeeding self‐efficacy (P = .033) but not between social support, knowledge, attitudes, and breastfeeding performance (P > .05). Breastfeeding self‐efficacy, occupation, family income sufficiency, and living with the family were identified as predictors of breastfeeding performance. Conclusion Given the relationship between breastfeeding self‐efficacy and breastfeeding performance, strengthening mothers' self‐efficacy should be considered, especially when compiling programs to promote breastfeeding. Increasing breastfeeding self‐efficacy in women improves their breastfeeding performance: In developing programs to promote breastfeeding culture, women's self‐efficacy should be considered. SUMMARY STATEMENT What is already known about this topic? The prevalence and duration of exclusive breastfeeding have decreased within recent years. The quality of knowledge and supporting the breastfeeding mother may play an important role in success of breastfeeding. What this paper adds? Significant relationships were shown between breastfeeding performance and breastfeeding self‐efficacy. Breastfeeding self‐efficacy, occupation, family income, and living with family were identified as predictors of breastfeeding performance. The implications of this paper: The results of this study can be used to train families and to increase both family and community support of breastfeeding mothers and improve breastfeeding performance. It is important to develop a comprehensive plan for promoting breastfeeding, considering effective factors such as breastfeeding self‐efficacy.