Breath-Based Yoga-Supported Breastfeeding Education in Primiparous Mothers

Summary

This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial (RCT) focused on improving breastfeeding outcomes among primiparous mothers in the postpartum period. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months as the ideal nutritional source for newborns, the rate in Turkey (41% according to TDHS 2018) lags behind global targets (50-70%). Early cessation of breastfeeding is generally associated with mothers' inability to adapt to physical and psychological challenges. In particular, anxiety and stress experienced during the postpartum period lead to the development of a perceived insufficient milk supply, which negatively affects the acquisition of breastfeeding self-efficacy. In this context, this study investigates the potential of a supportive intervention facilitating stress management and relaxation on breastfeeding sustainability. Participants will be randomized into three groups: Intervention Group I (Online Breastfeeding Education + Breath-Based Yoga), Intervention Group II (Online Breastfeeding Education Only), and the Control Group (Routine Care). The interventions will be delivered remotely via Google Meet over a maximum period of seven weeks (3 weeks of breastfeeding education + 4 weeks of yoga practice). The primary objective of the study is to evaluate whether these structured interventions significantly improve maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and reduce the perception of insufficient milk. Additionally, secondary outcomes will assess the impact on maternal anxiety levels. To ensure internal validity and isolate the intervention effect, mothers at high risk of postpartum depression (EPDS score \> 13) are excluded from the study.

The Hypotheses of the Study

Each hypothesis will be tested independently:

H₀: The pre- and post-intervention measurement differences do not significantly differ between groups.

H₁: The pre- and post-intervention measurement differences significantly differ between groups (p \< 0.05).

If a significant difference is detected, H₀ will be rejected and H₁ will be accepted. Multiple comparisons will be evaluated using the Holm-Bonferroni correction to control the Type I error rate.

* H1a: Online breastfeeding education provided to primiparous mothers positively affects their anxiety levels.
* H1b: Online breastfeeding education provided to primiparous mothers positively affects their breastfeeding self-efficacy.
* H1c: Online breastfeeding education provided to primiparous mothers positively affects their perceived insufficient milk supply.
* H2a: Breath-based yoga-supported online breastfeeding education provided to primiparous mothers positively affects their anxiety levels.
* H2b: Breath-based yoga-supported online breastfeeding education provided to primiparous mothers positively affects their breastfeeding self-efficacy.
* H2c: Breath-based yoga-supported online breastfeeding education provided to primiparous mothers positively affects their perceived insufficient milk supply.

Conditions

• Breastfeeding
• Perceived Insufficient Milk Supply

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Online Breastfeeding Education

A 3-week online breastfeeding education program delivered via Google Meet, twice weekly for 30-60 minutes, in small groups of five.

BEHAVIORAL

Breath-Based Postpartum Yoga Program

A 4-week breath-based postpartum yoga program delivered online twice weekly for 45-60 minutes, including guided breathing exercises and gentle postpartum-appropriate movements.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sakarya University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Dilek Menekse, Associate Professor · Sakarya University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

19 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-06-01

Primary Completion

2026-12-01

Completion

2027-06-01