The Effect of Podcast Breastfeeding Training on Mothers of Preterm Infants

The Effect of Podcast Breastfeeding Training on Breastfeeding Outcomes of Mothers of Preterm Infants Hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): A Randomized Controlled Study

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of breastfeeding education provided via podcast to mothers of preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit on the mothers' breastfeeding success, awareness, motivation, self-efficacy, and perception of insufficient milk supply. The research aims to help mothers overcome challenges in the breastfeeding process by increasing their knowledge levels and to strengthen their confidence in this process. Thus, the goal is to better meet the nutritional needs of preterm infants and to improve mothers' breastfeeding experiences in a positive direction.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Breastfeeding
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Breastfeeding education via podcast

Detailed Description

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of breastfeeding education provided via podcast to mothers of preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit on the mothers' breastfeeding success, awareness, motivation, self-efficacy, and perception of insufficient milk supply. The sample for this study, conducted using a pre-test-post-test randomized controlled experimental design, consisted of patients admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Ordu University Education and Research Hospital at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Ordu University Education and Research Hospital, who were informed about the purpose of the current study, provided written and verbal consent to participate in the study, and were preterm infants between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation, along with their mothers who met the inclusion criteria. The "Demographic/Obstetric and Neonatal Characteristics Form," "Breastfeeding Motivation Scale," "Breastfeeding Awareness Scale," "Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale," and "Perceived Insufficient Milk Scale" were used to collect data. The sample will consist of mothers of preterm infants between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation who meet the inclusion criteria. The sample size for the study was determined to be 26 mothers, calculated using G-Power analysis with a 95% confidence level (1-α), 80% power (1-β), an effect size of 0.80, and an independent samples t-test. Due to the possibility of data loss, the number of participants was increased based on the results of the power analysis, and it was planned to include 56 mothers who met the selection criteria in the study sample. A podcast series on breastfeeding education will be shared with the mothers in the experimental group via a digital platform (WhatsApp). The content will cover: breastfeeding preterm infants, why breast milk is important, the composition of breast milk and its importance for preterm infants, and the benefits of breast milk for preterm infants, the breastfeeding process at YYBÜ, conditions for expressing and storing milk, challenges encountered during breastfeeding and their solutions, ways to increase milk production, seeking support for breastfeeding at YYBÜ, the role of breast milk in the nutrition of preterm infants, and recommendations for breastfeeding. Daily follow-up calls will be used to track whether the mothers listened to the podcasts. Mothers in the control group received only the standard breastfeeding education provided under the hospital protocol. No podcasts or other additional support were provided. The scales administered after the education provided via the podcast and standard care were reapplied to mothers in both groups. This will allow for a comparative evaluation of changes between the experimental and control groups.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 56
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Dilek Küçük Alemdar, Professor; Phone Number: +905468435840; Email: dilekkucukalemdar@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Ordu
    • Merkez, Ordu, Turkey (Türkiye), 52200
      • Recruiting
      • Ordu University
      • Contact: Dilek Küçük Alemdar; Email: dilekkucukalemdar@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• The mother must volunteer to participate in the study,
• The mother must be 18 years of age or older
• After being accepted into the study, the mother must express her intention to breastfeed her baby
• The mother must be able to speak and read Turkish
• The mother's baby being between 32 and 37 weeks gestation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Illegal drug and tobacco use by the mother
• The mother's use of alcohol during pregnancy and after childbirth
• Active tuberculosis in the mother
• The presence of Herpes simplex virus lesions on the mother's breast
• The presence of a maternal psychiatric disorder
• Having prior experience breastfeeding a preterm infant
• Having a condition that prevents breastfeeding
• Mothers who have had multiple births.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Podcast group; A podcast series on breastfeeding education will be shared with the mothers in the experimental group via a digital platform (WhatsApp). The content will cover: breastfeeding preterm infants, why breast milk is important, the composition of breast milk and its importance for preterm infants, and the benefits of breast milk for preterm infants, the breastfeeding process at YYBÜ, conditions for expressing and storing milk, challenges encountered during breastfeeding and their solutions, ways to increase milk production, seeking support for breastfeeding at YYBÜ, the role of breast milk in the nutrition of preterm infants, and recommendations for breastfeeding. Daily follow-up calls will be conducted to monitor whether the mothers are listening to the podcasts.	Behavioral: Breastfeeding education via podcast; A podcast series on breastfeeding education will be shared with the mothers in the experimental group via a digital platform (WhatsApp). The content will cover: breastfeeding preterm infants, why breast milk is important, the composition of breast milk and its importance for preterm infants, and the benefits of breast milk for preterm infants, the breastfeeding process at YYBÜ, conditions for expressing and storing milk, challenges encountered during breastfeeding and their solutions, ways to increase milk production, seeking support for breastfeeding at YYBÜ, the role of breast milk in the nutrition of preterm infants, and recommendations for breastfeeding. Daily follow-up calls will be conducted to monitor whether the mothers are listening to the podcasts.
No Intervention: Control group; Mothers in the control group will receive only the standard breastfeeding education provided as part of the hospital protocol.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Breastfeeding Awareness Scale	This is a 9-item measurement tool designed to assess awareness-based breastfeeding practices during the postpartum period. The scale is unidimensional and was developed using a 5-point Likert scale. Responses to the scale items range from (1) Never to (5) Always. The total score on the scale ranges from 9 to 45, and as the total score increases, the level of awareness regarding breastfeeding also increases.	One day after admission to the hospital. One day before discharge from the hospital.
Breastfeeding Motivation Scale (BMS)	The scale consists of 24 items and has 5 subscales. There is no total score for the scale. Subscale scores are calculated by taking the average of the subscale item scores. As the score on a subscale increases, the motivation associated with that subscale also increases. For multiparous mothers, the scale consists of 24 items and six factors, while for primiparous mothers, it consists of 23 items and five subfactors. The 24-item scale can be used for both multiparous and primiparous mothers.	One day after admission to the hospital. One day before discharge from the hospital.
Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (Short Form)	The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Short Form Scale is a 5-point Likert-type scale, with responses rated as follows: 1 = "Not at all confident," 2 = "Not very confident," 3 = "Sometimes confident," 4 = "Confident," and 5 = "Very confident." The minimum score on the scale is 14, and the maximum is 70. A higher score indicates higher breastfeeding self-efficacy. The short form of the scale is easy to administer and accurately assesses self-efficacy.	One day after admission to the hospital. One day before discharge from the hospital.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Inadequate Breastfeeding Perception Scale	It is a measure used to assess breastfeeding mothers' perceptions of insufficient milk supply. The first question asks the mother about her belief regarding whether she is feeding her baby sufficiently. The mother answers this question with "yes" or "no." The other questions on the scale are designed to measure the perception of milk insufficiency. Mothers are asked to rate these questions on a scale of 0 to 10. A score of "0" indicates that the milk is perceived as completely insufficient, while a score of "10" indicates that the milk is perceived as completely sufficient. A minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 50 can be obtained on the scale. A higher total score indicates an increased perception of milk sufficiency.	One day after admission to the hospital. One day before discharge from the hospital.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Dilek Kucuk Alemdar

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 20, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 8, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 16, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 22, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 16, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavior; Feeding Behavior; Breast Feeding
• Other Study ID Numbers: BAEK250

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Because it contains personal data.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No