Examining mothers' experiences and termination methods of breastfeeding: A mixed methods study

Aim: This study was carried out in order to investigate mothers' breastfeeding termination methods and their experiences during this process. Materials and Method: This study, carried out using simultaneous/parallel mixed methods including qualitative and quantitative methods, was conducted at Number 1 Batman Family Health Center between May 2024 and November 2024. The sample of the study consisted of 220 mothers for the quantitative method and 15 mothers for the qualitative method among mothers who had babies/children aged 0-36 months, and who applied to Number 1 Health Center. The data of the study were collected using the "Introductory Characteristics Data Collection Form" and the "Semi-Structured Interview Form". In the assessment of the data, the Pearson Chi-Square test and Fisher's Exact test were applied for the quantitative method for numbers, percentages and averages. The analyses were carried out in the IBM SPSS 27 program. Thematic analysis method was used for the qualitative method. Results: In the analysis of the quantitative data, it was observed that the mean age of the participants was 32.02±5.39 years and the mean duration of breastfeeding was 19.37±4.48 years. Among the reasons for terminating breastfeeding, the most common reason was the infant's sucking too frequently at night/day and causing fatigue in the mother with a rate of 24.1%. Among the methods used by mothers to terminate breastfeeding, the most frequently preferred methods were sudden discontinuation with 29.1%, and the gradual discontinuation by reduction with 18.6%, and spontaneous cessation of breastfeeding with 5.5%, and putting hair on the breast with 9.1%, and applying tomato paste on the breast with 16.8%, and applying pepper on the breast 8.6%, and supplementary feeding with a baby bottle 6.4%, and using aloe vera resin method with 5.9%. The rate of those who had difficulty in this process turned out to be 67.3%. The rate of those who stated that they did not receive any training during the termination of breastfeeding was 95.5%. The most frequently applied sources of information and education by breastfeeding mothers were their mothers and mothers-in-law with a rate of 44.5%. In the analysis of qualitative data, 6 main themes and 25 sub-themes were obtained regarding mothers' experiences in the process of terminating breastfeeding. These main themes are mothers' thoughts about breastfeeding process and breastmilk, reasons for termination of breastfeeding, difficulties/challenges encountered in termination of breastfeeding, facilitators in termination of breastfeeding, methods/practices used in termination of breastfeeding, and mothers' feelings in the process of termination of breastfeeding. Conclusion: The main reasons for termination of breastfeeding were that the baby suckled too frequently during the day/night and that it caused fatigue in the mother. This rate was found to be higher in working mothers. It was found that mothers used different methods to terminate breastfeeding, had difficulties, but did not receive training on this subject. It was observed that health professionals were preferred as a source of information to a lesser extent. It was determined that mothers had negative feelings such as being worn out, the idea of taking away the baby's right/guilt/incompetence, and the feeling that the bond between mother and baby would be broken during the process of terminating breastfeeding. However, the mothers who completed the process stated that they felt relieved at the end of this process, which was difficult and exhausting. Keywords: Breast milk, mixed methods, nursing, termination of breastfeeding weaning.