Comparison of the effect of face-to-face and video-based breastfeeding education methods on breastfeeding success

Despite the well-documented benefits of breastfeeding, many first-time mothers encounter challenges. This study compares the efficacy of traditional face-to-face breastfeeding education (FtFE) versus video-based breastfeeding education (VBE) on improving breastfeeding practices and self-efficacy among primiparous mothers. Using a sequential, quasi-experimental design, 70 primiparous mothers were enrolled from a State Hospital in Turkey and systematically divided into two groups: FtFE (n = 35) and VBE (n = 35). The study spanned from January to June 2023 and the assessments of statuses of breastfeeding self-efficacy and skilles was performed in two distinct phases for each group. In the first phase, mothers were administered the scale of breastfeeding self-efficacy short (BSES) to measure baseline breastfeeding self-efficacy and the scale of LATCH tool to assess baseline breastfeeding skills. Subsequently, the research groups received FtFE and VBE interventions. In the second phase, 2 weeks later, mothers were interviewed again, and the BSES scale was re-administered to evaluate changes in their breastfeeding self-efficacy levels. The pre-test scores of BSES and LATCH tools of the FtFE and VBE groups were found similar (p > 0.05). The post-test score of BSES of the FtFE was significantly higher than that of the VBE group (p > 0.05). In the FtFE group, the post-test score of BSES was significantly higher compared to the pre-test score of BSES (p < 0.05). In the VBE group, the post-test score of BSES was higher compared to the pre-test score of BSES but this difference did not reached statistical significance (p > 0.05). FtFE is more effective in informing mothers compared to VBE. However, VBE also positively affectes breastfeeding success. Further research is needed to explore the long-term impacts of these educational approaches on breastfeeding compliance.