Breastfeeding practices and influencing factors among mothers: a cross-sectional study

Aims: Breastfeeding practices vary across communities, and the continuation of breastfeeding for the recommended duration remains suboptimal. This study aims to evaluate the breastfeeding practices of mothers with children older than 12 months and the factors influencing these practices. Methods: This survey study was conducted at the Child Clinic of Konya Beyhekim Training and Research Hospital from November 15 to December 30, 2024. A total of 218 mothers were selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic information, health status, breastfeeding practices, and related experiences. The questionnaire was administered face-to-face during hospital visits. Results: The study found that 63% of mothers exclusively breastfed their infants for the first six months postpartum. Among those who did not provide breast milk immediately, the primary reason cited was that 73% felt they had insufficient milk, while the second most common reason was that the baby was ill or required incubator care. 65% of mothers continued breastfeeding for over 12 months. Comparing the characteristics of mothers who exclusively breastfed their babies for the first 6 months and those who did not, significant differences were found in age groups, mode of delivery, number of living children, multiple pregnancies, prematurity, birth weight, infant illness, hospitalization, pacifier use, and bottle feeding. Conclusion: Study findings emphasize that more than half of mothers feed their babies exclusively with breast milk for the first 6 months, and a significant portion of them continue breastfeeding after the first year. It has been shown that some baby and maternal factors may be effective in feeding babies only breast milk for the first 6 months.