İlk Altı Ayda Anne Sütü ile Beslenmeye Etki Eden Faktörler

Abstract

Objective: To determine the factors affecting initiation and continuation of exclusive breast feeding within the first 6 months of life. Methods: The study was conducted between January 2009 till September 2009. Healthy neonates without any medical problems after delivery were enrolled and followed up monthly for 6 months. Related factors for exclusive breast feeding at 6 months of age were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Two hundred and forty six neonates were included in the study. One hundred and forty infants (56.9 %) were found to be breast- fed beginning from the first hour after birth (early breast feeding) whereas 106 (43.1 %) were breast fed after 1 hour postnatally (late breast feeding). Early breast feeding was associated with term deliveries, macrosomic infants delivered vaginally, and in families with a monthly income of 500-2000 TL having a higher educational status, those who received breast feeding education during their pregnancies, and mothers residing in Eastern Anatolian region (p<0.05). It was found that infants in the late breast feeding group were given supplementary foods more often at 3 months of age. This difference was significant until 6 months of age (p<0.05). At 6 months of age 130 (52.8 %) infants were found to be exclusively breast fed. At six months of age, exclusive breast feeding rate was higher among infants who were early breast fed (RR: 1.8; % 95 C.I: 1.1- 3.1) and whose mothers were trained about breast feeding during their pregnancies (RR: 1.7; % 95 C.I: 1.05-2.9), however rate of exclusive breast feeding was lower among preterm infants (RR: 0.2; % 95C.I: 0.1-0.6). Conclusion: Breast feeding education during pregnancy is important since it not only enhances the initiation but also the continuation of breast feeding. With breast feeding education the rate of exclusive breast feeding at 6 months of age was found to be significantly increased.