The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of motivational interview-based breastfeeding education on breastfeeding motivation, breastfeeding success, self-efficacy perceptions, and exclusive breastfeeding duration in primiparous mothers after cesarean section. A parallel-group randomized controlled experimental study. Mothers were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG; n = 39) and a control group (CG; n = 37). IG was provided with four sessions of motivational interview-based breastfeeding education, while CG did not receive any motivational interview-based education. The research data were collected by using 'Introductory Information Form', 'Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form', 'LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool', 'The Primipara Breastfeeding Motivation Scale', and 'Importance and Confidence-Sufficiency Rulers'. In addition, in the follow-ups except for the pretest, mothers were asked about exclusive breastfeeding. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials database (NCT05562245). Group × time interactions in mothers, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding success, the value ascribed to breastfeeding, breastfeeding self-effectiveness, and confidence sufficiency in breastfeeding ability were statistically significant (P < 0.05). A motivational interviewing-based breastfeeding education provided to mothers increased their breastfeeding self-efficacy, the value ascribed to breastfeeding, and confidence sufficiency in breastfeeding ability. Therefore, motivational interviewing can contribute to mothers' positive experience of breastfeeding.