Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the mother-baby school on the postpartum period and to determine the opinions of mothers about this service.

Method:  This descriptive study was conducted at a private specialized research and training hospital in İstanbul. The sample included 130 mothers who gave birth at the study hospital, participated in the mother-baby school, and agreed to participate in the study. Mothers received practical training both in individual and group format with their babies at this newly founded mother-baby school.  Data was collected using a 15-item questionnaire developed by the researchers in order to evaluate mothers' personal pregnancy stories and their opinions on the postpartum period. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software.

Results: It was found that 51.3% of the mothers were aged between 25-31 years, 89.7% had a high school degree or higher, 60% were housewives, 88.2% were primipar, and that the majority of the mothers had planned pregnancies. Among the mothers, 80% had normal delivery, 96.4% fed their babies only with breastmilk following birth, and 85% received support during the postpartum period mostly from their spouses and family members. 
It was determined that 40% of the mothers had problems with feeding the baby and 30% with sleep and resting, leading them to refer to the mother-baby school in order to receive support and adapt to the postpartum period. It was found that educating mothers on infant care and on the changes experienced by mothers during the postpartum period were effective and that group training resulted in more persistent outcomes. It was also determined that practical trainings raised awareness, that the mother-baby school reduced postpartum problems and that the majority of mothers (98%) were satisfied with this service. 

Conclusion: It was determined that the mothers were highly satisfied with the services they received at the mother-baby school. It is recommended to increase the number of mother-baby schools and support mothers in order to coordinate mother-infant health during the postpartum period.

05 - A NEW APPLICATION TO SUPPORT POSTPARTUM MOTHERS: THE MOTHER BABY SCHOOL