Comparison of the Effectiveness of Video and Breastfeeding Simulator Support to Mothers Who Could Not Breastfeed Their Babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Randomized Controlled Study

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of breastfeeding behavior development training involving the use of videos and simulators with mothers whose babies were in the neonatal intensive care unit and who were staying in mothers’ hotels. The study was conducted in June 2022 and March 2023 in a state hospital with 100 volunteer participating mothers. Study control group (n=33), video training group (n=33), simulator training group (n=34). The study was conducted with a randomized controlled pretest/posttest control group trial model. Data were collected with a sociodemographic information questionnaire, a breastfeeding self-efficacy scale (short form), and a maternal attachment scale. Pretest scores did not significantly differ between groups (p>0.05). The breastfeeding self-efficacy, maternal attachment and retest mean scores significantly increased in the simulator group (p<0.05). This study revealed that breastfeeding training given to women with simulator support was more effective than training given via video methods in terms of breastfeeding success, the perception of breastfeeding self-efficacy, and maternal attachment.