Investigation of feeding characteristics of babies for 0-12 months: Aydin province sampling

Exclusive breastfeeding duration of babies and the applications of their mothers in complementary feeding vary according to various factors. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the nutritional properties, like breastfeeding status, time to start complementary feeding and type, consistency, frequency of complementary foods, of babies for 0-12 months and the factors that affect that in Aydın. The research was designed as an analytical and cross-sectional study. For sample selection, the sampling method that universe is unknown was used and sample size was found to be 350. The research was carried out in the Central Family Health Centers in Efeler district of Aydın. The research data were collected by using a questionnaire applied in face-to-face interviews with mothers who had 12-24 months old infants and applied to Family Health Centers. The data were entered into the database created by "IBM SPSS Statistics 22" statistical program and statistical evaluations were made. The duration of exclusive breastfeeding was found as 6 (0-9) months, the time to start complementary feeding was found as 6 (4-10) months and the time to start giving water to infants was found as 12 (1-28) weeks. It was found that the exclusive breastfeeding duration of babies of high school graduate mothers was shorter. Babies in extended families had longer exclusive breastfeeding duration and there was a weak positive correlation between the numbers of family members and exclusive breastfeeding duration of babies. However, it was determined that the exclusive breastfeeding duration of babies who born with vaginal delivery was longer. Education and income levels of mothers significantly affect their time to start complementary feeding; it was observed that mothers with lower income level started complementary feeding earlier, and mothers who started complementary feeding earliest among the education groups were high school graduates. As a result, the applications of mothers in baby nutrition differ according to their descriptive characteristics and the rate of mothers who started complementary feeding early (31.6%) is not low. For this reason, trainings on baby feeding should continue to be given to mothers. Keywords: Infant, Nutrition, Breastmilk, Breastfeeding, Complementary Feeding