The comparison of life quality of breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers who have baby 0-24 months old

Introduction and Aim: There are physical, emotional and social changes in the life of woman through the postpartum period. These alterations have an important effect on the health and life quality of mothers. The aim of the study is to research the effect of breastfeeding experience, which is a physiological process after childbirth and also the problems can come up, on the life quality of mothers. Material and Method: The target population of this study, planned on cross-sectional type, consists of the mothers with baby 0-24 months old, who applied to Akdeniz University Hospital Well-Child Polyclinic in 2019. The total of 334 women applying to polyclinic participated in this research, which consists of 226 of whom were breastfeeding and 108 of whom were not breastfeeding. The data were gathered through face-to-face interviews with women who volunteered to participate in this research through a three-month period between 23.07.2020 and 23.10.2020. Results: The total of 334 women participated in this research. The average of SF-36 life quality score is 48,30±11,29. There is statistically no significant difference between the averages of breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers who have baby 0-24 months old. The life quality score of mothers, who are over 30 and does not have a chronic disease, is significantly higher than the life quality score of mothers who have a chronic disease. The life quality score of mothers, who agree that breastfeeding is healthy and get medical support from family health center, is significantly higher than the life quality score of mother who do not agree that and do not get medical support. The life quality score of mothers, who have 3 or more children and sleep 3 and less hours, is less than the life quality score of mothers who sleep more than 3 hours. The life quality of mothers is not significantly affected by the last childbirth delivery method, residence and education level. The mothers, possessing the highest life quality score, plan for their pregnancy, have social support and get medical help from family health center adequately. Conclusion: The life quality of mothers who get enough support from their doctors and families is higher, although breastfeeding does not affect the life quality. Therefore, the family doctors' pre-pregnancy, birth and postpartum care and follow-ups positively affect the health and life quality of mothers. Every visit to the family health center should be seen as an opportunity to improve the life quality of mothers. Key Words: Breastfeeding, Postpartum Period, Quality of Life, SF-36