The evaluati̇on of breastfeedi̇ng and di̇etary habi̇ts of i̇nfants; 0-6 months

Aim and introduction: In this study, the breastfeeding and feeding habits of 0-6 months old babies were analyzed regardless of gender. It was aimed to make mothers aware of infant feeding and to ensure the continuation of breastfeeding in the long time in our city. Materials and Methods: A consisting of 35 questions was asked to the mothers of babies between 0-6 months old that were accepted by The Children Hospital of Dicle University Medical School regarding breastfeeding and feeding habits. Besides, their perceptions towards breastfeeding and follow-on milk were compared and the correlation between the sociodemographic findings, were determined in this study. Results: 65,5% of the patients were female and 35,5% were male in this study. Females infants were more than males. The mean age of babies was 13,11±7,57 weeks, the mean age of mothers was 28,69±5,95 years and the mean age of fathers was 31,92±6,70 years. 63,5% of mothers had not received any supportive education or training from health professionals regarding breastfeeding and feeding habits during their pregnancy, and of 36,5% had received. 87% of mothers had firstly breastfeed after delivery, of 11,5% had given formula, of 0,5% sugared water, and of 1% "other beverages". The 43% of mothers had breastfed their babies in the first 30 minutes, of 40% in the first hour, of 10% in the first 2 hours, and of 6,5% when the babies wanted to be breastfed by their mothers the first time. Of 80% mothers were "still brestfeeding", of 6% "for 1 month", and of 5,5% "no breastfeeding". The . 84,5% infants of mothers were "breastfeeding", of 11% "both", and of 4,5% was "milking". Of 78,5% mothers were used galactagogue, and 21,5 % were not used. 14,5% of mothers were used "fennel and anise tea" and 1,5% "lactamil"as galactagogue. 54,5% of mothers had given follow-on milk and 45,5% had not. 30,5% of them had given follow-on milk during the first month, 11,5% in the second month, and 5% in the third month. "Have you given follow-on milk to your babies?" and "Who decided for the type of the follow-on milk?" were dependent on each other and there was a statistically significant difference between these two questions (p< 0,05). The 12% of mothers had given "other" (formula, herbal tea etc.), 11,5% "custard", 2% "yoghurt", and 1,5% "cow milk" to their babies as supplementary food. "When did you start to give supplementary food to your babies?" and "What did you firstly give as supplementary food?" were dependent on each other and there was a statistically significant difference between these two questions (p< 0,05). "Do you give your babies cow milk or goat milk"? and "If yes, when did you start giving cow milk or goat milk?" were dependent on each other and there was a statistically significant difference between these two questions (p< 0,05). Conclusion: In our country, health institutions have great missions in the training of mothers about breastfeeding, aware of the importance of breastfeeding only, and educating about the appropriate breastfeeding. Key Words: Infant, breastfeeding, feeding, habits