Emzirme uygulamalarının belirleyicileri: Türkiye'den ampirik kanıt

The medical literature is full of evidence showing the unmatched health benefits of breastfeeding for the children under five years of age. However, little is known about its determinants for the Turkish context because of the absence of research providing findings at national level. To that extent, we utilize a representative dataset for the Turkish population to explore the determinants of breastfeeding practices as measured by the exclusive breastfeeding and duration of breastfeeding. To quantify their correlates, we use Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Linear Probability Model(s), and Cox Regression Models. Our estimation results show that the longer duration of breastfeeding is associated with being a male, having (older) siblings, having (older) brothers, and living in Poorer, Rich, and the Richest households. To begin with, higher prevalence of the exclusive breastfeeding is related to residing in urban areas, having a less-educated mother, living in a less-crowded household, and living in South and East. Keywords: Breastfeeding Duration, Exclusive Breastfeeding, Gender Discrimination, Rural/Urban Gap, Cox Regression.