Breastfeeding CessationNCT07890142
Experiences of Mothers Considering Breastfeeding Cessation: Decision-Making, Method Exploration, and Support Needs
An observational study of Breastfeeding Cessation, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study aims to explore the experiences of mothers who are currently breastfeeding their children but are considering stopping breastfeeding. It focuses on how mothers make decisions about breastfeeding cessation, where they seek information about possible methods, what uncertainties or difficulties they… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Breastfeeding Cessation
- How many people
- 25 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- Nov 2026to Mar 2027
- Phase
- Observational
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: The study population will consist of mothers aged 18 years or older who are currently breastfeeding a child aged at least 6 months and are considering breastfeeding cessation. Participants will be recruited through social media platforms, mother-child groups, and relevant online communication channels. Purposive sampling will be used to include mothers with diverse experiences and at different stages of decision-making regarding breastfeeding cessation. Snowball sampling may also be used.
Who may be able to join
- Aged 18 years or older.
- Having given birth at least once.
- Currently breastfeeding their child.
- Having a child aged at least 6 months.
- Actively considering or planning breastfeeding cessation.
- Being in the process of making decisions about breastfeeding cessation and/or determining cessation methods.
- Being able to communicate in Turkish.
- Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study.
Who cannot join
- Having completely stopped breastfeeding.
- Not considering breastfeeding cessation.
- Having communication difficulties that prevent participation in the interview.
- Having any condition that prevents completion of the research interview.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Istanbul
Istanbul
Eslem ALTINTAŞ, MSc, Investigator, eslem.altintas@acibadem.edu.tr
About this study
Official title: Experiences of Mothers Considering Breastfeeding Cessation: Decision-Making Process, Exploration of Methods, and Support Needs
This study aims to explore the experiences of mothers who are currently breastfeeding their children but are considering stopping breastfeeding. It focuses on how mothers make decisions about breastfeeding cessation, where they seek information about possible methods, what uncertainties or difficulties they experience, and what support they need from healthcare professionals.
This is a qualitative study using a phenomenological approach. Approximately 20 to 25 mothers aged 18 years or older who are currently breastfeeding a child aged at least 6 months and are considering breastfeeding cessation will be invited to participate. The final number of participants will depend on the information obtained during the interviews.
Read more
Data will be collected through individual, semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Participants will also complete a brief form about their demographic characteristics and breastfeeding experiences. Interviews will be conducted face-to-face or online, depending on participant preference.
The findings are expected to provide a better understanding of mothers' experiences and support needs during the breastfeeding cessation decision-making process and may help inform breastfeeding counseling provided by healthcare professionals.
Read the detailed description
The study uses a qualitative phenomenological design and does not follow a cohort, case-control, or other conventional epidemiological observational study model. This qualitative study will use a phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of mothers who are currently breastfeeding and considering breastfeeding cessation. The study seeks to gain an in-depth understanding of mothers' decision-making processes, their exploration of breastfeeding cessation methods and information sources, the uncertainties and difficulties they experience or anticipate, and their perceived support needs.
Participants will be recruited using purposive sampling, with an emphasis on maximum variation to capture diverse experiences and stages of decision-making. Recruitment will take place through social media platforms, mother-child groups, and relevant online communication channels. Snowball sampling may also be used. Approximately 20 to 25 mothers are expected to participate, although the final sample size will be determined based on data saturation.
Data will be collected using a 17-item Participant Information Form and an eight-question Semi-Structured Interview Guide developed by the researchers based on the relevant literature. Individual interviews will be conducted face-to-face or online according to participant preference and are expected to last approximately 30 to 45 minutes. With participants' permission, interviews will be audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim.
Descriptive data will be summarized using appropriate descriptive statistics. Qualitative interview data will be analyzed using thematic analysis. Interview transcripts will be read repeatedly to achieve familiarity with the data, followed by initial coding, development of candidate themes and subthemes, review and refinement of themes, and definition and reporting of the final themes. MAXQDA 24 software will be used to support the organization and analysis of qualitative data. Data collection and analysis will be conducted concurrently, and data collection will end when additional interviews no longer provide meaningful new information, codes, or themes relevant to the research questions.
The study does not involve an investigator-assigned intervention. Its purpose is to understand mothers' experiences and perceived support needs rather than to evaluate the effectiveness of breastfeeding cessation methods.
- Conditions
- Breastfeeding Cessation
- Keywords
- Breastfeeding Cessation, Weaning, Maternal Experiences, Decision-Making, Support Needs, Qualitative Research
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mothers Considering Breastfeeding Cessation | Mothers aged 18 years or older who are currently breastfeeding a child aged at least 6 months and are actively considering or planning breastfeeding cessation. Participants will be recruited using purposive sampling, with an emphasis on maximum variation. Data will be collected through individual semi-structured interviews. No intervention will be assigned by the researchers. Kopyala |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Experiences of Mothers Considering Breastfeeding Cessation
Mothers' experiences regarding breastfeeding cessation will be explored through individual semi-structured interviews. The interviews will examine decision-making processes, information sources, exploration of cessation methods, uncertainties, anticipated or experienced difficulties, and perceived support needs. Interview transcripts will be analyzed using thematic analysis to identify themes and subthemes reflecting participants' experiences.
Measured: During a single semi-structured interview (approximately 30-45 minutes) Kopyala
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Oct 2026
- Study startNov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionMar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionMar 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Breastfeeding CessationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 25 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Eslem Altıntaş, Acibadem University
- Investigators
- Merve Coşkun, Ph.D., Principal investigator, Acibadem UniversityGüzin Ünlü Suvari, M.Sc., Principal investigator, Acibadem University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07890142
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Breastfeeding- ATADEK 2026/14
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 22 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No