Factors associated with maternal attention and distraction during breastfeeding and childcare: A cross-sectional study in the west of Iran.

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to address factors associated with maternal attention and distraction during breastfeeding and childcare and the role of smartphones in western Iran.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 280 breastfeeding mothers in Iran in 2024. The data collection tools included a demographic-obstetric questionnaire and the Maternal Distraction Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 16, and the significance level was set less than 0.05.

RESULTS

The highest distraction during breastfeeding was associated with mobile phone use (62.14%), while the lowest was linked to reading (6.78%.). Mobile phone use was the highest distraction during breastfeeding and baby care (79.64%), while the lowest was reading a book (12.86%). Additionally, individual and social variables, such as education level, number of children, and economic status, were significantly associated with maternal attention and distraction levels ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Distraction during breastfeeding and during child care between women with three or more children was higher compared with women with one child. Additionally, distraction during child care between women with three or more children was higher compared with women with two children.