Breastfeeding Problems of Mothers in the Postpartum Period and Impact on Sleep Quality

Abstract

Aim: The study was conducted to determine the breastfeeding problems encountered in the postpartum period and its effect on sleep quality. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 364 mothers who used social media platforms. Data collection tools were applied between 2-8 weeks postpartum with an online questionnaire method. Research data were evaluated using the t-test to compare the means of two groups and the One-Way ANOVA test to compare the means of multiple groups. Results: In the study, the mean age of the mothers was 29.50±4.69 years, 57.4% had graduated from a university. Of the infants of the mothers, 97% took human milk, and 56.6% used pacifiers and bottles. Of the mothers who took part in the study, 73.6% had nipple cracks. The study found the Postpartum Sleep Quality Scale total score mean to be 28.29±8.08. The Postpartum Sleep Quality Scale total score was higher (poor sleep quality) in those with nipple cracks compared to those without. Conclusion: In the study, it was determined that the most common breastfeeding problem in the postpartum period is nipple cracks and that breastfeeding problems reduce the sleep quality of mothers in the postpartum period. Keywords: breastfeeding, postpartum period, sleep quality