Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine factors which effect breastfeeding in children in the first 2 years of life.

Methods: The study included infants attained 2 years of age who are followed by the Child Health Surveillance Clinic regularly since the birth, between January 2011 - May 2012. Infants prenatal and postnatal datas were collected from medical records. Socioeconomic state of family and mother’s prenatal/postnatal breastfeeding education recorded by survey interview. The factors which effects the exclusive breastfeeding and total breastfeeding time were investigated.

Results: The study was completed with 200 children. Among the study group 57.5% were male and 56% born with cesarean delivery. Mean exclusive breastfeeding time was 4.3±2.0 months and total breastfeeding time was 16.4±7.7 months and the ratio of exclusive breastfeeding in first 6 months was 37.5%. With mother’s higher education level, improvement of family’s income and working mother affected total breastfeeding time negatively (p:0.009, p:0.024, p:0,001 respectively). 21 mothers educated for breastfeeding prenatally (%10,5), 163 mothers educated postnatally (%81,5). Mothers educated postnatally for breastfeeding had longer time for exclusive breatfeeding and total breastfeeding (p:0,001 and p:0.000, respectively). 131 mothers continued breastfeeding when their children attained 1 year of age. Mother’s who supported for breastfeeding after 1 year of age was found statistically significant longer total breastfeeding time (p:0,001).

Conclusion: Among the efforts to increase total breastfeeding ratio at the first 2 years of life, support of breastfeeding education after 1 year determined as an important factor.

Key words: Breastfeeding, education, factors, infant