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NCT Number: NCT07067554

Breastfeeding Myths and Mothers' Motivation

Breast milk is a unique and irreplaceable source of nutrition for infants, offering protection against many common childhood diseases due to its natural sterility, accessibility, and immune-boosting antibodies. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is critical for healthy growth, development, and immune support. Despite global recommendations by WHO and UNICEF, lack of knowledge and inadequate support continue to hinder optimal breastfeeding practices.

One major barrier is the persistence of cultural myths and misconceptions, such as "colostrum should be discarded," or "infants need water after every feeding." These unfounded beliefs may reduce mothers' confidence and lead to early cessation of breastfeeding or premature introduction of complementary foods.

This study aims to examine the relationship between mothers' belief in breastfeeding myths and their motivation to breastfeed. While prior research has explored each factor individually, no known studies have analyzed their interaction.

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Key information

Conditions

Breastfeeding Behavior Breast Feeding Feeding Behavior Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Maternal Behavior Motivation

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Acıbadem University

Istanbul, Ataşehir, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Güzin Ünlü Suvari, Ph.D. (C)

CONTACT

+90 ext. 2165004429

Merve Coşkun, Ph.D.

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Having an infant aged 0-6 months
  • Having breastfed the baby at least once
  • Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Having a physical or psychiatric health condition that prevents breastfeeding
  • Having had a multiple (twin or more) pregnancy
  • Exclusively formula-feeding the baby

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Demographic, Birth, and Breastfeeding Characteristics of Participants

    Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)

    Collected using a 25-question Descriptive Information Form developed by the researchers. Includes maternal demographics, pregnancy and birth history, infant characteristics, breastfeeding status, beliefs, and motivational factors.

  2. Belief in Breastfeeding Myths

    Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)

    Measured using the Breastfeeding Myths Scale developed by Yılmaz Sezer et al. (2024). The scale consists of 30 items in a single dimension. Total scores range from 30 to 150, with higher scores indicating a stronger belief in breastfeeding myths. A cut-off score of 119.50 is used to distinguish between low and high levels of myth belief.

  3. Breastfeeding Motivation

    Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)

    Breastfeeding motivation was measured using the Breastfeeding Motivation Scale, originally developed by Kestler-Peleg et al. (2015) and adapted into Turkish by Mızrak Şahin et al. (2019). The scale consists of 24 items and assesses five subdimensions: Integrated Regulation, Intrinsic Motivation and Identified Regulation, Introjected Regulation - Social Approval, Introjected Regulation - Social Pressure, and External Regulation - Additional Benefits. Each subdimension score is calculated separately based on the mean of relevant items. Scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating higher levels of motivation in the respective subdimension.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Güzin Ünlü Suvari

CONTACT

[email protected]

+902165004429

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Acibadem University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

An Investigation of the Relationship Between Mothers' Susceptibility to Breastfeeding Myths and Their Motivation to Breastfeed

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 16, 2025
Registry last updated
Sep 30, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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