The effects of breastfeeding support provided by video call on postpartum anxiety, breastfeeding self-efficiacy, and newborn outcomes: a randomized controlled study

Deniz Akyildiz*, Betul Bay

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Aim: To examine the effects of breastfeeding support given by video call on anxiety, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and newborn outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled experimental trial with 72 women and their babies. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (video call) group (VCG: standard care + video call) and control group (CG: standard care). The primary outcomes of this study were the mean postpartum maternal anxiety level and the mean breastfeeding self-efficacy level. The secondary outcome was neonatal outcomes. This study followed the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) checklist.

Results: Women in VCG had lower anxiety levels than the CG at postpartum 2 weeks (mean difference [MD] 25.42, p = .000) and 1 month (MD 47.72, p = .000). The breastfeeding self-efficacy level of women in the VCG was higher than the CG at postpartum 2 weeks (MD 13.18, p = .007) and 1 month (MD 10.1, p = .001). The newborns in VCG had higher weight gain and daily breastfeeding frequency than the CG at the postpartum second week (MD 9.64, p = .001, MD 2.88, p = .000; respectively) and 1 month (MD 47.16, p = .000, MD 2.98, p = .000; respectively). There were lower rates of challenges of breastfeeding, hyperbilirubinemia, and feeding with formula in VCG than CG at the postpartum second week (p = .043, p = .043, p = .039; respectively).

Conclusions: Breastfeeding support via video calling has positive effects on maternal anxiety, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and newborn health. Postpartum caregivers may benefit from video calling for breastfeeding support.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12509
JournalJapan Journal of Nursing
Early online date7 Sept 2022
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 7 Sept 2022

Keywords

  • breastfeeding
  • counseling
  • midwifery
  • nursing
  • postpartum period

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