Breastfeeding Attitudes of Women Who Get Pregnant During the Lactation Period

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the breastfeeding attitudes of women who became pregnant while still lactating. Method: The study used a cross-sectional and descriptive research design. The sample consisted of 144 pregnant women who were in the lactation period and were admitted to the Gynecology and Obstetrics Polyclinic of a hospital in a city center for pregnancy examination between March 22, 2022, and July 1, 2022. The data were collected by face-to-face interview method, using the "Personal Information Form" and the "Breastfeeding Attitude Evaluation Scale (BAES)" data collection instruments. Results: The majority of pregnant women (49.3%) were in the 18-25 age group, with a mean age of 26.34±5.59 years. It was found that 29.8% of the pregnant women were primary school graduates, 85.4% were unemployed, 57.7% were living in the district, and 64.6% living in a nuclear family. Pregnant women with 2–3 previous pregnancies, one living child, a prior vaginal delivery, a history of giving birth to both a girl and a boy, and an interpregnancy interval of 17 months or more had higher average BAES total scores. In addition, it was determined that there was a significant difference between mode of delivery, the baby's gender, whether the pregnancy was planned, the time between this and the previous pregnancy, and the BAES total score (p < 0.05). It was determined that the variables of place of residence, gender of the baby, and whether this pregnancy was planned were significant predictors of BAES. It was found that the attitudes toward breastfeeding of pregnant women who had planned pregnancy and who were living in the city center were significantly higher. Conclusion: The study showed that the attitudes toward breastfeeding among women who experienced pregnancy during the lactation period were influenced by several factors, including the sex of the baby, place of residence, and planned pregnancy status. In order to improve the breastfeeding attitudes of women who become pregnant during the lactation period, reproductive health training should be organized especially for women living in rural areas and their pregnancies should be planned.