Factors Associated with Breastfeeding Initiation and Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates in Turkish Adolescent Mothers

This study aimed to determine the early initiation time of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates during the first 6 months and the main factors affecting EBF practice in Turkish adolescent mothers.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 adolescent mothers who were raising 6 to 24 month-old children. A face-to-face interview was conducted for sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, information about the baby, information about breastfeeding, and the factors affecting breastfeeding. We detected breastfeeding prevalence as well as its initiation time and duration.

The mean age of the patients was 17.9 ± 1.15 years. The percentage of patients who started breastfeeding within 1 hour was 45.5%. Approximately, 74% of the adolescent mothers provided breastfeeding before any type of formula as the baby's first food. Women who initiated breastfeeding earlier had planned pregnancies, educated for breastfeeding, delivered vaginally, and had boy infants. The mothers who started breastfeeding earlier fed their babies significantly more frequently at night, had longer EBF times, and had longer total breastfeeding times than the mothers who started breastfeeding later than 2 hours. Planned pregnancy, vaginal delivery, and having a boy infant were significantly associated with early breastfeeding. Age, planned pregnancy, postpartum education, frequent breastfeeding at night, and formula initiation time were predictors of EBF.

Adolescent pregnants may start breastfeeding earlier when had planned pregnancy, educated and encouraged for breastfeeding from the family and medical staff. Therefore, strategies should be formed to improve breastfeeding programs.