Breastfeeding Experiences, Challenges, and Barriers Among Mothers During Hot Weather in Türkiye: A Qualitative Study

This study aimed to explore mothers' breastfeeding experiences, challenges, and barriers during hot weather in Türkiye.

A qualitative exploratory approach was used in this study. Between August and October 2024, in-depth individual interviews were conducted with mothers who applied to the breastfeeding outpatient clinic at the obstetrics and gynecology hospital in a city in the Western Black Sea region of Türkiye. The sample included 18 mothers who agreed to participate in the study. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Five main themes emerged from the interviews: (1) physical and emotional barriers to breastfeeding, (2) social and privacy barriers to breastfeeding, (3) psychological challenges and support needs, (4) environmental and climatic barriers, and (5) strategies for overcoming breastfeeding barriers. The findings indicate that hot weather conditions are associated with various challenges for mothers, such as physical discomfort, emotional strain, social isolation, and sleep problems. Mothers expressed the need for adequate fluid consumption, appropriate environmental adjustments, and social support; they also highlighted the need for support to cope with the stress and psychological challenges they experience during hot weather conditions.

This study shows that hot weather poses significant physical and emotional challenges to the breastfeeding process. In order for mothers to breastfeed comfortably in hot weather conditions, it is important to provide cool environments, increase fluid consumption, establish air-conditioned breastfeeding points in public spaces, expand social support groups, and provide guidance and psychological support from health professionals.