The Importance of Motivational Interviewing Technique in Providing Breastfeeding Motivation in the Postpartum Period

Breastfeeding is an important period in terms of mother and baby health. In order to benefit from breast milk at the maximum level during the breastfeeding process, it is important for the mother to start breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth and to be able to maintain breastfeeding. In this process, physiological, psychological, social and motivational factors have an effect on the continuity and maintenance of breastfeeding. If the mother experiences any breastfeeding problem during breastfeeding, her motivation to breastfeed may decrease. In recent studies, breastfeeding trainings have been applied with different techniques to encourage mothers to breastfeed during the breastfeeding process, to support them to feel competent and strong in this process and to increase their motivation for breastfeeding, adapted to their individual needs. One of these techniques is the motivational interview technique. Motivational interviewing technique has a supportive role in helping mothers to adapt to the breastfeeding process, to determine their attitudes towards breastfeeding, to address their lack of knowledge about breastfeeding, their concerns about this process, to increase their confidence and intrinsic motivation about breastfeeding, and to continue breastfeeding by helping behaviour change when necessary. In this article, the importance of motivational interviewing technique in providing breastfeeding motivation in the postnatal period is explained.