Mindfulness-based breastfeeding program for mothers after cesarean delivery

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Breastfeeding Programme on Breastfeeding Awareness and Breastfeeding Attitude in Mothers After Cesarean Delivery: A Randomised Controlled Study

This program will test whether mindfulness-based breastfeeding helps mothers who had a cesarean improve breastfeeding awareness, attitudes, and how long they continue breastfeeding.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 140 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 40 Years
• Sex: Female
• Sponsor: Akdeniz University (other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Afyonkarahisar, Dörtyol and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06252311 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized controlled trial enrolling mothers who delivered by cesarean section at Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University sites between April 2024 and December 2025. Participants will be randomly assigned using stratified and simple randomisation to receive a Mindfulness-Based Breastfeeding Programme or usual care. Outcomes include scores on the Mindful Breastfeeding Scale and the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale, plus measures of breastfeeding continuation. Data collection will be done by phone (WhatsApp) and in-clinic follow-up at the participating centers.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are mothers aged 18–40 who had a singleton cesarean at ≥37 weeks, are hospitalized at the listed Afyonkarahisar centers, have at least primary education, can use WhatsApp by phone, and have their healthy baby rooming with them.

Not a fit: Patients unlikely to benefit include those with high-risk pregnancies, medical or medication contraindications to breastfeeding, psychiatric illness, communication impediments, postpartum hysterectomy, infants in NICU or separated from the mother, or conditions preventing mindfulness practices.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could increase mothers' breastfeeding confidence and continuation, improving infant nutrition and maternal-infant bonding.

How similar studies have performed: Previous mindfulness programs in postpartum settings have shown benefits for maternal stress and breastfeeding self-efficacy, but applying a structured mindfulness-based breastfeeding program specifically after cesarean is relatively limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Being between the ages of 18-40
* Having had a caesarean section at 37 weeks or more of gestation
* Having been hospitalised at Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University Health Application and Research Center, Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic
* Having a single and healthy baby (no multiple pregnancy)
* Having completed at least primary school
* Being able to communicate in Turkish by phone using the WhatsApp application
* The baby is with the mother

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having a high-risk pregnancy
* Having a medical condition or taking medication that prevents breastfeeding
* Having a communication problems (vision, hearing, speech, language problems)
* Having a psychiatric illness
* Hysterectomy after caesarean section
* There is an obstacle that prevents the baby from being with the mother or being in the neonatal intensive care unit
* Having a condition/disease that prevents you from doing mindfulness practices (breathing exercises, body scanning)

Where this trial is running

Afyonkarahisar, Dörtyol and 1 other locations

• Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University Health Application and Research Center — Afyonkarahisar, Dörtyol, Turkey (Türkiye) (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• AFSU Health Research and Application Center — Afyonkarahisar, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye) (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Oznur KORUKCU — Akdeniz University
• Study coordinator: Serife BUYUKOKUDAN

Conditions: Breastfeeding, Mindfulness, Breast Feeding, Attitude, Nursing