Özet:

Aim: The purpose of the study is to reveal the breastfeeding knowledge and behaviors of postpartum mothers in the Northern Cyprus (NC). Material and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the largest hospital in the NC where the highest number of delivery, with 290 mothers. The data were collected with questionnaire and the LATCH Breastfeeding Charting System. The data collection form was administered face-to-face interviews by the researchers to mothers. The breastfeeding behaviors of mothers were evaluated twice. Results: The mean breastfeeding knowledge score was 27.88±3.30, the mean LATCH score was 7.75±1.95, and 30.7% of mothers did not need support for breastfeeding.  One-third of the participants (35.8%) who had a below-average breastfeeding knowledge score got 10 from LATCH, 26.1% of those who had an above-average score. Although mothers who had cesarean, who were getting adequate breastfeeding information during pregnancy, and who lacked social insurance had high breastfeeding knowledge scores, appropriate breastfeeding behaviors were exhibited at a higher level by mothers who had a lower educational status, who did not work, who had already had two or more deliveries or had two or more living children, who had experienced breastfeeding before, and who had a vaginal delivery (p<0.05). Conclusion: In order to improve the incidence and duration of breastfeeding, it is essential that “baby-friendly hospital initiative”, should be reflected in national policies and implemented at all hospital. Since breastfeeding is influenced by a number of factors, any personalized training/counseling service should be based on a decent recognition of a given culture.

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