Cultural beliefs and practices causing barriers to breastfeeding in the early postpartum period

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the cultural beliefs and practices that prevent breastfeeding in the early postpartum period. Material and Methods: The study included 302 breastfeeding women fulfilling the inclusion criteria for the study and giving birth in Erdemli State Hospital between 15 November 2022 and 30 April 2023. Data were gathered with a maternal descriptive characteristics form face to face with the women completing their postpartum 24 hours and scheduled to be discharged after their informed consent was obtained and in an environment protecting their privacy. Data were analyzed with Shapiro-wilk test, Chi-square test and Cramer's V coefficient. Results: The research is a cross-sectional descriptive study. 15/11/2022-30/04/2023 in the public hospital in the Mediterranean region born on the date of birth, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, It was carried out with 302 puerperant women. Research data; It was collected using the "Mother Descriptive Information Form". The babies were found to be given zem-zem water and dates to raise religious individuals and sugary water to prevent jaundice. Almost all the women breastfed their babies at night and 84,4% breastfed at 1-2 hours-intervals. Regarding the feeding practices in the postpartum 24 hours, 32,6% performed exclusive breastfeeding, 46,7% used formulae, 15,2% used zem-zem water, 11,9% used sugary water, 9,9% used dates, 8,9% used water and 6,6% used cumin tea. Besides, 46,4% of the women had a feeding bottle in their bag, 34,4% used a feeding bottle and 37,4% gave a pacifier to their babies. Conclusion: Has been determined that there are cultural beliefs and practices such as dates, zamzam, sugar water, baby food that prevent breast milk and breastfeeding in the early postpartum period. Health professionals should consider mothers' cultural beliefs and practices while providing breastfeeding education and counseling.