Investigating the Effects of Instructing Mothers Using BASNEF Model on Continuing Exclusive Breastfeeding of Late- Preterm Infants

Background: according to the american academy of pediatrics, there is a high correlation between the length of exclusive breastfeeding and increased benefits of mothers and preterm infants. evidence shows that breastfeeding support programs are effective in prolonging the lactation period, but the effect of these programs on the length of exclusive breastfeeding is not clear. objectives: the present study aimed at evaluating the effect of education on exclusive breastfeeding continuation in mothers with late- preterm infants. methods: in this randomized experimental study, 124 mothers of hospitalized late- preterm infants at fatemiyeh hospital (hamedan, iran) were randomly assigned into 2 groups (intervention or control). the data collection instruments included a demographic questionnaire, basnef, and checklist for lactation visits, which were required to be completed bymothers in both groups. moreover, weight gain in infants was measured by researchers before the treatment, and then once amonthfor a period of 2 months. for mothers in the intervention group, 5 sessions of breastfeeding education on basnef model was held during 5 consecutive days. analyses were conducted using the spss 21.0; and a p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. results: based on the results at the end of the first- and second- month follow-up, there were statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups in lactation performance, knowledge, attitude, subjective norm, assessment of results, and enabling factors of the mothers (p < 0.001). at the end of the first- and second- month follow-up, the difference between intervention and control mothers was statistically significant in exclusive breastfeeding continuation, in frequency of breastfeeding without the use of liquids, and feeding apart from breast milk and formula in day and night (p < 0.001). conclusions: the results of this study revealed that breastfeeding instructional sessions were effective in encouraging mothers to continue exclusive breastfeeding the infants by breast milk; thus, it is suggested to encourage mothers to breastfeed based on the basnef model.