Breastfeeding Experiences of Mothers Staying in Temporary Shelter Areas in Disaster-Affected Provinces in the 2023 Türkiye Earthquake

Abstract

Background: While the basic needs of breastfeeding women are similar to those of the general population, there are some specificities that must be taken into account when responding to an emergency. Aim: This study examines the breastfeeding barriers faced during a large earthquake in Türkiye and aims to investigate how infant feeding practices of breastfeeding mothers staying in temporary shelters after the earthquake were affected. Methods: This study follows a qualitative descriptive design with an inductive approach. It included participants who were older than 18 years of age, had babies no older than 1 year, and were breastfeeding mothers when the earthquake struck. Results: Five main themes were identified through a content analysis of the interviews: (1) breastfeeding environment after the earthquake, (2) emotional impact, (3) change in social relationships, (4) physiological needs and problems, (5) specialized maternal and baby health services. Factors affecting mothers’ infant feeding practices were crowded breastfeeding environments, stress and fear caused by the earthquake, decreased breastfeeding support due to changes in social relationships, difficulty in reaching basic physiological needs, and lack of professional health workers in the earthquake region. Conclusion: The most important factor affecting breastfeeding was the lack of suitable environments in which to breastfeed. There should be local, regional, and federal policies to support the privacy needs of displaced breastfeeding mothers.