Factors Influencing Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration and Its Impact on Infant Growth: A Cross-sectional Study from Turkey

Background Breastfeeding for six months after birth is the gold standard. However, although exclusive breastfeeding rates have improved over the past, they have not yet reached the desired levels. Many factors, such as sociocultural, socioeconomic and maternal self-efficacy, influence the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. It is therefore important to assess the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and these factors and to encourage mothers to breastfeed. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of mothers with children aged 0-6 months with respect to breastfeeding, to determine the factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding and the effects of feeding practices on the anthropometric measurements of infants. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted with 319 mother-infant couples in 7 Family Health Centers located in the city center of Konya in 2023. The data were collected with a sociodemographic information form consisting of 41 questions prepared by the researcher and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale consisting of 14 questions. Results Among the participants, those with high breastfeeding self-efficacy, nonsmokers, those who gave birth at term and via vaginal delivery, and those who did not use pacifiers/bottles were found to have higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding. In addition, the weight percentiles of infants who were exclusively breastfed were higher than those of other infants. Our results show that by supporting mothers' self-efficacy and removing barriers to breastfeeding, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding can be increased to the desired level. Conclusion Exclusive breastfeeding is a critical public health strategy known to reduce infant mortality and morbidity, and to enhance maternal and child health outcomes. Our results show that low breastfeeding rates, which are a public health problem, require comprehensive intervention to increase mothers' self-efficacy and address barriers.