Determination of knowledge, practice and self-efficacy levels of breastfeeding in mothers who has 0-6 months baby applying to a university hospital

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, application and self-efficacy of breastfeeding in mothers with 0-6 months infants who applied to a university hospital. Materials and Methods: The 100 mothers who applied to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hafsa Sultan Hospital Pediatric Polyclinic and who accepted to participate in the study were included in our investigation between October 1 and December 31 in 2019. Questionnaire and breastfeeding self-efficacy scale were used as data collection tools in the study. The statistical evaluation of the study was carried out by using number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum, maksimum independent samples t test and one way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis Test. Results: Our study was observed that 59% of the mothers still gave only breast milk during the postnatal period. It was found that there was a significant difference between the breastfeeding self-efficacy scale scores and the first nutrient given to the baby after the birth and the starting time of additional food. Our research was also had a significant difference between the breastfeeding self-efficacy scale scores the period of only given breast milk and keeping the breastfeeding in cases of cold and flu(p <0.05). Conclusion: In our study group, it was showed that various factors affect the mother's self-efficacy in the postpartum period and the mothers can be better than now by the getting professional support Key words: breastfeeding; newborn nutrition; self-efficacy