Effect of Delivery Method on Breastfeeding Status in Primiparous Mothers Within the First 24 Hours

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of the delivery method on breastfeeding status of primiparous mothers during the first 24 hours. Methods: In this descriptive and analytical study, the sample consisted of 126 primiparous mothers with vaginal (n = 54) and cesarean (n = 72) deliveries. The research data were collected in a hospital through a personal information form and LATCH. Breastfeeding was assessed at the 6th, 12th, and 24th hours within the first 24-hour period after the delivery. Results: A total of 83.3% of mothers with vaginal delivery started out breastfeeding in the first hour, while the rate was 43.1% for mothers with cesarean delivery. A total of 94.4% of mothers who had vaginal birth gave their babies colostrum, whereas the rate was 80.6% for mothers who had a cesarean birth. While there were no statistically significant differences in Applications 1 and 3 between the LATCH scores of mothers with vaginal and cesarean deliveries, Application 2 produced a significant difference (p < .05). Conclusions: Delivery method influenced the breastfeeding behavior and had an impact particularly on initiation of breastfeeding in the first hour.