Online Breastfeeding Education for Adolescent Girls with Depressive Disorder and Postpartum Psychosis

Abstract

Motherhood involves profound hormonal, physical, and psychological transformations, along with shifts in social status, daily routines, and sleep patterns, all of which can impact the mother-child relationship and increase maternal vulnerability. These challenges are particularly pronounced in adolescent mothers, who may experience heightened emotional distress, inadequate family support, or social rejection, complicating their breastfeeding journey. Despite targeted health education campaigns, adolescent pregnancies remain prevalent, underscoring the need for innovative interventions to support breastfeeding initiation and continuation among young mothers, for those experiencing postpartum depression and psychosis. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of online breastfeeding education as a supportive intervention for adolescent mothers facing perinatal mental health challenges. The research explores how digital resources, virtual counselling, and continuous telehealth support helps breastfeeding adherence, maternal self-efficacy, and emotional well-being. A comparative analysis of existing digital education models and traditional face-to-face breastfeeding support programs is conducted to assess the benefits, limitations, and potential scalability of virtual interventions. Findings indicate that online breastfeeding education significantly improves breastfeeding rates, reduces maternal anxiety, enhances mother-infant bonding, particularly in adolescent mothers with perinatal psychiatric disorders. Challenges such as digital literacy disparities, internet accessibility, and ethical considerations related to telehealth data privacy must be addressed to optimise the effectiveness of digital maternal education. This study  bridges the gap between online breastfeeding education, maternal mental health, and digital healthcare accessibility. The findings support the integration of hybrid models that combine virtual breastfeeding education with periodic in-person consultations, offering a scalable and adaptable solution to improve perinatal outcomes for vulnerable maternal populations. Future research should focus on developing personalised digital interventions and assessing long-term breastfeeding success among adolescent mothers receiving online support.