A Qualitative Study on Mothers' Experiences of Breastfeeding Cessation in Turkey

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND: Ending the breastfeeding process is a challenging decision for both mother and baby. However, cessation of breastfeeding is an inevitable stage for many mother-infant dyads and often represents the baby's first experience of separation from the mother. AIM: This study aimed to explore the experiences of mothers with infants aged 0-36 months who had undergone the process of breastfeeding cessation. METHOD: A phenomenological qualitative research design was adopted. Participants were selected through purposive sampling from various regions of Turkey, and data collection continued until saturation (N = 14 mothers; mean age 29.4 years, all with infants aged 0-36 months). Semistructured online interviews were conducted. Data were coded independently by two researchers and analyzed through content analysis. RESULTS: Thematic analysis revealed five main themes: (1) reasons for breastfeeding, (2) factors influencing the decision to cease breastfeeding, (3) methods used for cessation, (4) facilitators and barriers during the process, and (5) emotional responses to cessation. CONCLUSION: Mothers' decisions to cease breastfeeding were primarily influenced by fatigue, sleep deprivation, and perceived decreases in milk supply. Key facilitating factors included maternal determination, a supportive environment, and reduced breastfeeding demand from the infant. While some mothers felt relieved post-cessation, others, particularly those who used traditional aversive methods, expressed regret.