Factors Related to the Duration of Breast-Feeding in Ankara, with Special Reference to Sociocultural Aspects

Abstract

A questionnaire designed to elicit information on the relationship between certain sociocultural factors and the duration of breast-feeding was administered to 1,500 mothers. Giving colostrum, demand feeding, night feeding, feeding with both breasts, rooming-in, and planned pregnancy were factors found to have a positive effect on the duration of breast-feeding. Factors having a negative association included the use of prelacteal foods, mothers’ educations, smoking, and maternal employment. For employed mothers, paid maternity leave before and after delivery did not affect the duration of breast-feeding, but unpaid maternity leave and milk leave had a positive effect.