How prenatal attachment relates to breastfeeding self-efficacy in mothers during the transition to motherhood: a descriptive study

Abstract

Aims: Prenatal attachment and breastfeeding self-efficacy are two important psychosocial factors that influence the health of mothers and infants. These factors play a pivotal role in shaping maternal caregiving behaviors during the transition to motherhood. This study aimed to examine the relationship between prenatal attachment and breastfeeding self-efficacy among mothers during the transition to motherhood. Methods: A descriptive study design was used to examine the experiences of mothers during the transition to motherhood. The participants included were mothers aged 18 years and older who were in any trimester of the prenatal period and without communication impairments. To ensure the safety of the participants and data integrity, individuals with high-risk pregnancies or diagnosed psychiatric disorders were excluded from the study. The primary outcomes were the levels of prenatal attachment and prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy. The secondary outcome was the relationship between prenatal attachment and prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy. Both outcomes were assessed using the Prenatal Attachment Scale and the Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale. Results: A total of 306 mothers during the transition to motherhood were included in the study (mean age: 28.4±5.2 years). The mean prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy score was 86.27±6.52, which indicated a high level of self-efficacy among the mothers. The mean prenatal attachment score was 93.19±4.84. Prenatal attachment explained 29.8% of the variance in breastfeeding self-efficacy (R2=0.298, p<0.001), demonstrating a significant positive association between these variables. Conclusions: Prenatal attachment is significantly related to breastfeeding self-efficacy in mothers during the transition to motherhood. Copyright© 2026 The Author(s).