Factors affecting the duration of breastfeeding and the time of weaning

Breast milk and breastfeeding are very important in terms of a healthy growth and development, a balanced and adequate diet, psychosocial development and finances. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life, introduction of complementary feeding with food with high nutritional value after the sixth month of life and continuation of breastfeeding at least until the end of the second year of life. Our study is a cross-sectional study in which a questionnaire applied to mothers or other caregivers of children 5-year-old or under. This study conducted on children 5-year-old or under who visited the outpatient clinics of Children Health and Diseases Department in Tekirdag Namik Kemal University Hospital between October 2021 and December 2021. According to the study, cesarean section, premature delivery and low birth weight have negative effects on exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life and total breastfeeding duration. Prenatal education of mothers on breastfeeding provides longer breastfeeding durations. Being a working mother, having a high education level and having a high level of information about breastfeeding are all confirmed to be increase total breastfeeding duration and exclusive breastfeeding duration in the first 6 months of life. It is detected that mothers who has a previously breastfed child breastfeed their children for longer durations, and having a chronic disease does not affect the exclusive breastfeeding duration of mother, but it reduces the total breastfeeding duration. Smoking and having a postnatal mood disorder of mother are not associated with breastfeeding time. Educational status of father and having a high household income are both positively affect the durations of exclusive breastfeeding and total breastfeeding. In conclusion, mothers should receive adequate education and support in order to enhance breastfeeding, together with conducting the programs aiming to increase the awareness level of society on this subject.