Evaluation of mothers knowledge, attitudes and behaviors about breast milk and breastfeeding

Purpose: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of mothers having children under the age of 2 towards breast milk and breastfeeding, and to determine the factors affecting the duration of breastfeeding. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out by applying a questionnaire through face-to-face interview to mothers having children under the age of 2 who applied to the Pediatrics outpatient clinic at Düzce University Research and Application Hospital between February 1, 2021 and August 31, 2021. Questionnaire form and Iowa Nutritional Attitude Scale was applied to mothers. The questionnaire form consisted of 25 complementary questions about mothers' sociodemographic characteristics and infants' nutritional status. Results: 238 mothers having children aged 0-2 were included in the study. Majority of the people were married (98.3%). The mean age of the mothers was 29.2±5.6 years, and the mean IOWA scale score was 62.2±7 points. Among all participants, 77.3% (n=184) were continued to breastfeed, 37.8% (n=90) received training on breastfeeding and infant education, 67.2% (n=90) had a cesarean section. It was determined that 71.4% (n=90) had a planned pregnancy, 20.6% (n=90) were actively working. It was determined that 75.6% (n=68) of breastfeeding and infant education was received from midwife-nurse, 38.2% of 0-2 age group infants were fed only with breast milk and 20.2% with breast milk and formula. In our study, it was determined that food supplements or supplementary methods were used to increase breast milk at a rate of 38.7% (n=92). Conclusion: The first condition for building a healthy society is to raise healthy generations. Life must be started with breast milk for this to be possible. In our study, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding was found to be low, and the rate of breastfeeding and infant care training was far below the average. The Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IOWA) mean score of our sample is moderate when compared to other studies. Importance should be given towards antenatal and postnatal education in order to increase breastfeeding rates and reduce misapplications. Contents of the education should be aimed towards the problems of mothers and breastfeeding should be supported as a state policy.