Breastfeeding times of babies born in a healthcare and affecting factors

The breastfeeding is an important form of nutrition that contributes to both the anatomical and physiological development and their psychological development of babies. According to international organizations, all babies should be fed exclusively with breast milk for the first six months following birth and breastfeeding should be continued until the age of two. The aim of this study is to determine the duration of breastfeeding and the factors affecting the babies of mothers who gave birth in a health institution. The research is a cross-sectional type. The population of the study consists of 4203 women who gave birth in Kırşehir Training and Research Hospital between 01.01.2018 and 31.12.2019. The sample of the study was calculated as 200 in computer environment with 0.2 effect size, 95% confidence level, 80% power. The data were collected through telephone interviews after phone numbers were obtained from hospital records. The data in computer environment; number, percentage, mean, median, Mann Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis analyzes were used. In the study, it was determined that 56.5% of the mothers breastfed for less than 24 months. A statistically significant difference was found between the working status of the mothers and the duration of breastfeeding (p<0.05). Accordingly, it was determined that the breastfeeding duration of the babies of non-working mothers was longer. In line with these results; in order to start and maintain breastfeeding, it is recommended to plan studies that provide breastfeeding education and counseling to pregnant women.