Abstract

Exploring the determinants of timely initiation of breastfeeding is necessary for planning efficient breastfeeding promotion programs. The presemt study aimed to investigate the frequency and related factors of timely initiation of breastfeeding among Turkish mothers. This study was a cross-sectional, descriptive, mixed-model study, which was carried on mothers with healthy children up to 3 years old who applied to pediatric clinics between November 01, 2019 and December 30, 2019 in a university hospital. Of the 307 participant mothers, the mean age was found as 28.3 ± 3.9 years. The frequency of timely initiation of breastfeeding was 70.7%. Significant associations were found between timely initiation of breastfeeding status and residence, type of delivery, type of anesthesia, birth weight of babies, counseling on timely initiation of breastfeeding during antenatal care, and consultant medical staff. In order to increase the breastfeeding rate in the first hour, spontaneous vaginal delivery should be supported, and spinal / epidural anesthesia method should be preferred in cases where cesarean delivery is indicated. Other important steps to increase the ratio of timely initiation of breastfeeding are strengthening breastfeeding counseling services and the midwifery system.

Key words: Breastfeeding, timely initiation, first hour