Breastfeeding Behaviors of Early Postpartum Mothers (Breastfeeding in Early Postpartum Period)

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the factors that make a difference between the breastfeeding practices of mothers in the early postpartum period and the fact that babies receive only breast milk. Materials and Methods: The study is of an analytical-cross-sectional type. In the sample, there were 335 mothers who gave birth in two public hospitals serving in Ayd & imath;n, Efeler district between November 2018 and July 2019. The data were collected using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were used to evaluate the data. Results: It was determined that 50.1% of the babies were breastfed immediately after/within the first half hour, 11.9% were given prelactal food, 21.5% were breastfed and 6.9% were bottle fed. It was determined that 28.7% of the babies were given additional nutrients and 50% of these foods were recommended by a physician. It was found that 54% of the mothers were informed about breastfeeding in the postpartum period and 53.5% of them controlled breastfeeding. As a result of the chi-square analysis, it was seen that there was a significant (p<0.05) difference between the mode of delivery and the hospital where the birth was performed and the only breast milk intake status of the babies. Conclusion: The findings obtained from our study show that mothers' early breastfeeding practices are not in the desired situation. This is a factor that adversely affects both the duration of infants receiving only breast milk and their total breastfeeding time.