Pilot Study on a Technology-Supported Breastfeeding Program and Its Impact on the Growth of Infants of Adolescent Mothers

Background: Adolescent mothers often exhibit low breastfeeding rates, leading to an increased likelihood of their infants being introduced to baby formula and food supplements prematurely.

Aim: This study examined the impact of an eight-week technology-supported breastfeeding program on the growth of infants born to adolescent mothers. It also evaluates the program’s effect on the adolescent mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy, success, and anxiety levels.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with a total of 31 primiparous adolescent mothers and their infants, divided into an intervention group (IG=16) and a control group (CG=15). The intervention group received breastfeeding education, and an electronic booklet (e-booklet) was installed on their Android phones. Additional support included telephone interviews, motivational SMS messages, and telephone consultations on breastfeed-ing. Both groups were followed up face-to-face three times. The study data were collected using descriptive data forms, follow-up forms for infants’ physical growth and breast-feeding, the Postpartum Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (PBSES), the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the LATCH Assessment Tool (evaluating Latch (L), Audible swallowing (A), Type of nipple (T), Comfort (C), and Hold (H)). The data were analyzed using chi-square analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results: The mean ages of the adolescent mothers in the IG and CG were 18.50 ± 0.63 and 18.40 ± 0.63 years, respectively. The mean gestational ages of the infants were 39.0 ± 0.96 weeks (IG) and 38.47 ± 0.74 weeks (CG), with mean birth weights of 3.08 ± 0.32 kg (IG) and 2.94 ± 0.33 kg (CG), respectively. At the third follow-up, infants in the IG showed significantly higher weight and height z-scores than those in the CG (P < 0.05). Adolescent mothers in the IG reported higher self-efficacy and breastfeeding success at the second and third follow-ups (P = 0.001), and exhibited lower anxiety levels at the program’s conclusion (P = 0.001).

Conclusion: In the postpartum period, it is essential to identify adolescent mothers in the risk group by regularly evaluating their self-efficacy, anxiety levels, and breastfeeding successes. These mothers should receive support through appropriate nursing interventions early on. The use of technology by nurses providing breastfeeding education to adolescent mothers can enhance breastfeeding success and contribute to the healthy growth of infants. Implementation of a technology-based breastfeeding program for adolescent mothers represents a significant nursing intervention that benefits the health of both mothers and their infants.