title: Predictors of Breastfeeding Confidence in the Early Postpartum Period.
abstract: To identify factors related to breastfeeding self-efficacy, an important psychological variable in sustained breastfeeding, in the postpartum period.
  
  
  
  Descriptive correlational study.
  
  
  
  Data were collected on the mother-baby unit of an academic medical center in the Northeastern United States.
  
  
  
  This convenience sample (N = 107) was composed of women in the first 4 days postpartum and included nearly equal numbers of primiparas (49.5%, n = 53) and multiparas (50.5%, n = 54).
  
  
  
  Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale-10, Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form, and a demographic questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.
  
  
  
  Breastfeeding self-efficacy was positively correlated with birth satisfaction, number of children, partner support of breastfeeding, intention to breastfeed, intention to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, and feeling prepared for birth. Breastfeeding self-efficacy was greater in women with previous breastfeeding experience and lower in mothers of newborns who received in-hospital formula supplementation. A standard multiple linear regression explained approximately 38.5% of the variance in self-efficacy scores.
  
  
  
  Nurses can apply our findings to inform strategies to increase breastfeeding confidence, such as promoting birth satisfaction, involving partners in breastfeeding education, and limiting the use of in-hospital formula supplementation.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hinic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers; D009511:New England; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D020377:Self Efficacy
keywords: birth satisfaction; breastfeeding; confidence; perceived stress; self-efficacy