Huang Min, Elizabeth Baua
ABSTRACT
Breastfeeding provides substantial health benefits for both mothers and infants; however, breastfeeding practices remain suboptimal in many contexts. This study assessed postpartum mothers’ breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy, examined the relationships among these variables, and explored perceived challenges influencing breastfeeding practices. A mixed-methods design was employed among 150 postpartum mothers. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires measuring breastfeeding knowledge (benefits and appropriate practices), attitudes toward breastfeeding, and breastfeeding self-efficacy (skills and internal processes), and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analyses. Qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically. The results showed that mothers had moderate levels of breastfeeding knowledge and self-efficacy and an overall high positive attitude toward breastfeeding. Knowledge of appropriate breastfeeding practices was significantly associated with breastfeeding attitude and self-efficacy, whereas knowledge of breastfeeding benefits alone was not significantly related to attitude. Breastfeeding self-efficacy, particularly the internal process dimension, demonstrated a strong positive relationship with breastfeeding attitude. Qualitative findings identified major breastfeeding challenges, including physical discomfort and recovery-related issues, psychological and emotional barriers, limited breastfeeding knowledge and skills, insufficient family and social support, and lack of professional guidance. The findings indicate that improving breastfeeding outcomes requires more than increasing awareness of breastfeeding benefits. Emphasis should be placed on skills-based breastfeeding education, continuous professional support, strengthened family involvement, and breastfeeding-friendly healthcare and social environments to enhance maternal self-efficacy, promote positive attitudes, and support sustained breastfeeding practices.
Keywords: Breastfeeding, knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, postpartum mothers, mixed-methods study
https://doi.org/10.57180/jjoy8031