Influence of Perceived Maternal Self-Efficacy on Exclusive Breastfeeding Initiation and Consolidation: A Systematic Review

Different international organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding during the neonate's first six months of life; however, figures of around 38% are reported at the global level. One of the reasons for early abandonment is the mothers' perception of supplying insufficient milk to their newborns. The objective of this research is to assess how mothers' perceived level of self-efficacy during breastfeeding affects their ability to breastfeed and the rates of exclusive breastfeeding up to six months postpartum. A systematic review for the 2000-2023 period was conducted in the following databases: Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and CINAHL. Original articles, clinical trials, and observational studies in English and Spanish were included. The results comprised 18 articles in the review (2006-2023), with an overall sample of 2004 participants. All studies were conducted with women who wanted to breastfeed, used the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale or its short version to measure postpartum self-efficacy levels, and breastfeeding rates were assessed up to 6 months postpartum. The present review draws on evidence suggesting that mothers' perceived level of self-efficacy about their ability to breastfeed affects rates of exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months postpartum. High levels of self-efficacy are positively related to the establishment and maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding; however, these rates decline markedly at 6 months postpartum.