Factors Effecting the Duration of Breast Feeding and the Time of Weaning

Burçin NALBANTOĞLU; Gözde YILDIRIM ÇELİK; Ayşin NALBANTOĞLU

doi:10.4274/nkmj.galenos.2024.57070

ABSTRACT

Aim:

Breast milk is the ideal type of nutrition for infants. Breastfeeding has many benefits for the mother, baby and society. In this study, we aimed to determine the sociodemographic factors that affect the duration of breastfeeding and the time of weaning in the children of mothers who have children aged 5 and under, to detect the problems that will occur during the breastfeeding process in advance and to contribute to the precautions that need to be taken.

Materials and Methods:

This is a cross-sectional study in which a survey was conducted with mothers or caregivers of children aged 5 and under. Our study was conducted by the researcher using the face-to-face survey method. In the survey; the child’s gender, age, type of birth, week of birth, birth weight, when he first breastfed, whether he used formula or not, if so, the reason, when he started the first complementary food, how much breast milk he received only and in total, the number of siblings, if any, for how long. Breastfeeding, household’s total income, mother’s prenatal breastfeeding education status, mother and father’s sociodemographic characteristics, occupations, working and health status, and mother’s emotional state were questioned.

Results:

The cesarean delivery rate in the group with breastfeeding for less than 1 year was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the group with breastfeeding for more than 1 year. The rate of the mother receiving prenatal breastfeeding education in the group with breastfeeding for more than 1 year was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the group with breastfeeding for less than 1 year. The rate of breastfeeding within the first hour in the group with breast milk intake over 1 year was significantly higher than in the group with breast milk intake under 1 year (p<0.05). In the group whose breastfeeding is over 1 year, the proportion of those who think that their child should be breastfed until the age of 2 is; Breast milk intake was significantly higher than the group under 1 year. Maternal education level was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the group with breastfeeding for more than 1 year than in the group with breastfeeding for less than 1 year. The maternal employment rate in the group with breastfeeding for more than 1 year was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the group with breastfeeding for less than 1 year.

Conclusion:

Breastfeeding is very important for a baby’s healthy development and protection from diseases in the first two years of life. It is every baby’s natural right to be fed with breast milk. Determining the timing of breastfeeding and the factors that lead to its cessation in our country and region will contribute to taking precautions in this regard and increasing the duration of breastfeeding. If possible, breastfeeding education starting before birth, supporting the mother after birth, and providing appropriate opportunities for breastfeeding for working mothers will increase the duration of breast milk intake.

Keywords:

Human milk, breastfeeding, duration of time

INTRODUCTION

Breast milk is the ideal food for babies. Breastfeeding has many benefits for the mother, the infant and society. Exclusive breastfeeding (EB), especially for the first six months, is very important for the functional, neuromotor and cognitive development of infants. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Committee for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) recommend that all infants should be fed with EB for the first 6 months, and that supplementary foods with high nutritional value should be started in addition to breast milk from the 6^th month onwards, and breastfeeding should be continued until at least 2 years of age^1,2.

Breastfeeding reduces infant mortality and morbidity rates, provides optimal growth and development, and establishes a close bond between mother and child. In addition, breast milk protects infants against diseases through antibodies transmitted from the mother, prevents nutritional deficiencies and prevents foodborne infections³.

Breastfeeding has benefits for the mother as well as the baby. Breastfeeding prevents complications that may occur in the breast due to milk accumulation. Postpartum bleeding, breast, ovarian and uterine cancers, urinary tract infections and osteoporosis are less common in breastfeeding women compared to non-breastfeeding women^4,5.

The WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have been working hard to promote breastfeeding. For this reason, in 1992, the WHO initiated the “Baby Friendly Hospital” practice on an international platform and established practical practices, especially in developing countries, to increase breastfeeding. This approach of WHO has led to visible changes in hospital practices in most countries to increase breastfeeding rates^6,7.

In this study, we aimed to determine the sociodemographic factors affecting the duration of breast milk intake and discontinuation of breast milk in the children of mothers with children aged 5 years and residing in Tekirdağ province, to determine the problems that would be experienced during the breastfeeding process in advance and to contribute to the measures to be taken.

GİRİŞ

Anne sütü, bebekler için en ideal besindir. Anne sütü ile beslenmenin; anneye, bebeğe ve topluma çok sayıda yararı bulunmaktadır. Özellikle ilk altı ay sadece anne sütü (SAS) ile beslenme bebeklerin fonksiyonel, nöromotor ve kognitif gelişimleri açısından oldukça önemlidir. Dünya Sağlık Örgütü (DSÖ) ve Avrupa Pediatrik Gastroenteroloji, Hepatoloji ve Beslenme Komitesi (ESPGHAN) tüm bebeklerin ilk 6 ay SAS ile beslenmesini, 6. aydan itibaren ise anne sütüne ek olarak besin değeri yüksek ek gıdalara başlanmasını ve en az 2 yaşına kadar anne sütü ile beslenmenin devam edilmesini önermektedir^1,2.

Anne sütü ile beslenmenin, bebek mortalite ve morbidite oranlarını azaltması, optimal büyüme ve gelişmeyi sağlamasının yanı sıra anne ile çocuk arasında yakın bir bağ oluşmasını da sağlamaktadır. Bunlara ek olarak anne sütü, anneden geçen antikorlar aracılığı ile bebekleri hastalıklara karşı korumakta, beslenme yetersizliklerinin önüne geçmekte ve gıda kaynaklı enfeksiyonları önlemektedir³.

Anne sütü ile beslenmenin bebeğe olan yararlarının yanında anneye olan yararları da vardır. Emzirmek, süt birikmesi ile memede oluşabilecek komplikasyonları önler. Emziren kadınlarda doğum sonrası kanamalar, meme, yumurtalık ve rahim kanserleri, idrar yolu enfeksiyonları ve osteoporoz gibi hastalıkların gelişmesi emzirmeyen kadınlara göre daha az görülmektedir^4,5.

DSÖ ve Birleşmiş Milletler Çocuklara Yardım Fonu (UNICEF) anne sütü ile beslenmenin yaygınlaşması için yoğun çaba göstermektedir. Bu nedenle 1992 yılında uluslararası platformda “Bebek Dostu Hastane” uygulamasını başlatmış ve anne sütü ile beslenmenin artırılması için özellikle gelişmekte olan ülkelerde pratik uygulamalar oluşturmuştur. DSÖ’nün bu yaklaşımı; çoğu ülkedeki hastane uygulamalarında, anne sütü ile beslenme oranlarını arttırmak için gözle görünür değişikliklere neden olmuştur^6,7.

Biz de bu çalışmamızda, Tekirdağ ilinde ikamet eden 5 yaş ve altı çocuk sahibi olan annelerin çocuklarındaki anne sütü alım süresi ve kesilme zamanında etkili olan sosyodemografik faktörlerin belirlenmesini, anne sütü ile beslenme sürecinde yaşanacak sorunların önceden tespit edilmesini ve alınması gereken önlemlere katkıda bulunmayı amaçladık.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Type, Sample, Place and Time of the Study

Our study is a cross-sectional study in which mothers or caregivers of children aged 5 years and under were surveyed. This study was conducted on 400 children aged 5 years and younger between October 2021 and December 2021 at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatrics Outpatient Clinics.

Data Collectıon Method

Our study was conducted by the researcher with face-to-face questionnaire method. The questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. In the questionnaire, the child’s gender, age, mode of delivery, birth week, birth weight, when he/she first breastfed, whether he/she used formula milk or not, if so, why, the time of starting the first supplementary food, how much breast milk he/she received exclusively and in total, the number of siblings, how long the sibling received breast milk, if any, the total income of the household, the mother’s prenatal breastfeeding education, the sociodemographic characteristics, occupations, employment and health status of the mother and father, and the mother’s emotional status were questioned.

While categorizing the answers to the question on the total income of the household in the survey, based on the May 2021 data of the TÜRK-İŞ Confederation, the hunger limit of 2850 TL and below was determined as the lowest limit and the poverty limit of 9300 TL and above was determined as the upper limit.

Statistical Analysis

Mean, standard deviation, median minimum, maximum, frequency and ratio values were used in descriptive statistics of the data. The distribution of variables was measured with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze quantitative independent data. The chi-square test was employed in the analysis of qualitative independent data, and the Fisher’s test was used when chi-square test conditions were not met. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 28.0 program was used in the analysis.

Research Ethics

The families and other caregivers of the children admitted to the Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Pediatrics Outpatient Clinics of the Department of Pediatrics were informed and the children who agreed to participate in the study and signed the Informed Consent Form by their families or caregivers were included in the study.

Approval decision with protocol number 2021.213.07.21 was obtained from the Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Medical Faculty Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (date: 27.07.2021).

RESULTS

Children aged 5 years and younger who were admitted to the Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Hospital, Pediatrics Outpatient Clinics of the Department of Pediatrics between October 2021 and December 2021 were included in the study (Table 1, 2, 3).

The mean age was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the group with breast milk intake of more than 1 year than in the group with breast milk intake of less than 1 year. Gender distribution did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between the groups with breast milk intake less than 1 year and above 1 year. The rate of cesarean delivery was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the group with breast milk intake less than 1 year than in the group with breast milk intake more than 1 year. The preterm birth rate was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the group with breast milk intake above 1 year than in the group with breast milk intake below 1 year. Low birth weight was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the group with breast milk intake above 1 year than in the group with breast milk intake below 1 year.

The number of siblings and duration of breastfeeding did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between the groups with breastfeeding intake of less than and above 1 year.

The rate of prenatal breastfeeding education was significantly higher in the group with breastmilk intake of more than 1 year than in the group with breastmilk intake of less than 1 year (p<0.05). The rate of breastfeeding within the first 1 hour was significantly higher in the group with breastmilk intake of more than 1 year than in the group with breastmilk intake of less than 1 year (p<0.05). The proportion of those who thought that their child should receive breast milk until the age of 2 years was significantly higher in the group with breast milk intake of more than 1 year than in the group with breast milk intake of less than 1 year (p<0.05) (Table 4).

Maternal age did not differ significantly between the groups with breast milk intake of less than 1 year and more than 1 year (p>0.05). Maternal education level was significantly higher in the group with breast milk intake over 1 year than in the group with breast milk intake less than 1 year (p<0.05). Maternal employment rate was significantly higher in the group with breastmilk intake above 1 year than in the group with breastmilk intake below 1 year (p<0.05). In the group with breast milk intake of more than 1 year, the rate of maternal employment after birth was significantly higher than the group with breast milk intake of less than 1 year (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups with breast milk intake of less than 1 year and more than 1 year in the mother’s time of starting work after delivery (p>0.05). The rate of maternal smoking did not differ significantly between the groups with breast milk intake below and above 1 year (p>0.05). The rate of maternal alcohol use was significantly higher in the group with breast milk intake over 1 year than in the group with breast milk intake less than 1 year (p<0.05). The rate of known maternal illness was significantly lower in the group with breast milk intake over 1 year than in the group with breast milk intake less than 1 year (p<0.05). The rate of maternal postpartum mood disorder did not differ significantly between the groups with breast milk intake of less than or more than 1 year (p>0.05) (Table 5).

Paternal age did not differ significantly between the groups with breast milk intake less than 1 year and above 1 year (p>0.05). Paternal education level was significantly higher in the group with breast milk intake over 1 year than in the group with breast milk intake less than 1 year (p<0.05). Paternal employment rate did not differ significantly between the groups with breast milk intake of less than and above 1 year (p>0.05). The rate of paternal smoking was significantly lower in the group with breast milk intake over 1 year than in the group with breast milk intake less than 1 year (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups with breast milk intake of less than or more than 1 year (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of known disease in the father between the groups with breast milk intake of less than 1 year and more than 1 year (p>0.05). Total household income was significantly higher in the group with breastfeeding intake above 1 year than in the group with breastfeeding intake below 1 year (p<0.05).

The rate of formula feeding was significantly lower in the group with breast milk intake over 1 year than in the group with breast milk intake less than 1 year (p<0.05). In the group with a breast milk intake of more than 1 year, the rate of starting formula at 3 months and later was significantly lower than the group with a breast milk intake of less than 1 year (p<0.05). The reason for the initiation of formula feeding did not differ significantly between the groups with breast milk intake of less than 1 year and more than 1 year (p>0.05). The person who recommended formula did not differ significantly between the groups with breast milk intake of less than or more than 1 year (p>0.05).

The rate of prenatal breastfeeding education did not differ significantly between the groups who received formula for the first 4 months and those who did not (p>0.05). The duration of EB was significantly lower in the group receiving formula for the first 4 months than in the group not receiving formula for the first 4 months (p<0.05). The rate of breastfeeding within the first hour was significantly lower in the group receiving formula for the first 4 months than in the group not receiving formula for the first 4 months (p<0.05). The proportion of those getting breast milk for 1 year or less in the group who received formula for the first 4 months (57.9%) was significantly higher than the proportion of those who used breast milk for 1 year or less in the group who did not receive formula for the first 4 months (25.8%) (p<0.05). The rate of those who thought that their child should receive breast milk until the age of 2 years was significantly lower in the group who received formula for the first 4 months than in the group who did not receive formula for the first 4 months (p<0.05).

DISCUSSION

In this cross-sectional study conducted among parents with children aged 5 years and younger, who applied to the Pediatrics Outpatient Clinic of Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Hospital, sociodemographic data affecting the duration of breast milk intake and weaning time, problems experienced in this process and solutions were investigated.

Total fertility rate refers to the average number of children a woman can give birth to in the age group of 15-49 years during her fertile period. According to Turkish Statistical Institute 2020 data, the total fertility rate is 1.76⁸. In our study, 47.3% of the families had one child, 44% had two children, 6.5% had three children, and 2.2% had more than three children.

In our study, the mode of delivery was questioned and 63.8% were delivered by cesarean section and the rate of cesarean section was 57% according to 2019 data in Turkey⁸. The rate of cesarean delivery is increasing in our country and the data of our study were found to be close to the average of Turkey. Considering that cesarean delivery affects breastfeeding, the high rates are striking. In a study conducted by Hobbs et al.⁹ in 2016, when planned cesarean delivery and normal spontaneous vaginal delivery were compared, it was reported that women who gave birth by cesarean delivery had a higher rate of discontinuation of breastfeeding before 12 weeks postpartum and that cesarean delivery negatively affected breastfeeding initiation time and total breastfeeding duration. In our study, we found that cesarean delivery had a negative effect on EB and total breastfeeding duration. However, Pérez-Escamilla et al.¹⁰ reported that cesarean delivery had no effect on total breastfeeding duration if mothers started breastfeeding from birth and continued breastfeeding for at least 4 weeks after birth. Similarly, in the study conducted by Watt et al.¹¹ no difference was found between the total breastfeeding duration of mothers who continued breastfeeding up to 6 weeks postpartum and mothers who delivered by cesarean section or normal spontaneous vaginal delivery.

Delays in the initiation of breastfeeding may lead to a decrease in the baby’s sucking ability and sensitivity, as well as a decrease in the amount of milk^12-20. In a study by Raghavan et al.²¹, it was reported that cesarean delivery and male gender were the greatest risk factors for early initiation of breastfeeding. In our study, we found that babies who were breastfed within the first 1 hour after birth had a higher duration of EB intake and total breast milk intake for the first 6 months compared to babies who were not breastfed within the first 1 hour. These results are consistent with the WHO’s 10 steps for successful breastfeeding, which encourage initiation of breastfeeding within the first 1 hour after birth and recommend that babies stay with their mothers for 24 hours^22-24.

Difficulties experienced in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding in the first child lead to the same problems in subsequent births^25,26. In our study, we found that mothers who breastfed their first child had higher rates of feeding their children with EB for the first 6 months in other births, but this did not affect the total duration of breastfeeding.

Preterm babies have many problems, including irregular sucking ability, low birth weight and low alertness levels. These adversely affect initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding^27,28. In our study, preterm birth and low birth weight negatively affected the duration of EB and total breast milk intake in the first 6 months.

Scime et al.²⁹ reported that there was no significant difference between the rates of EB in the first 6 months between mothers with and without a chronic disease, but the presence of a chronic disease in the mother may negatively affect the total breastfeeding time. In our study, the presence of a known chronic disease in the mother did not affect the duration of EB in the first 6 months but shortened the total duration of EB.

In their meta-analysis, Cohen et al.³⁰ found that higher educational level had a positive effect on both initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. It is thought that mothers with higher levels of education and working mothers may have more control over their home or working environment, which has a positive effect on the duration of breastfeeding³¹. In a study conducted by Laksono et al.³² in 2021 using data from 53,528 children aged 5 years and younger, it was reported that as the mother’s education level increased, the duration of EB intake increased, but the duration of EB intake was inversely associated with the mother’s employment status. In our study, we concluded that a high level of maternal education and employment status of the mother had a positive effect on the duration of EB and total breast milk intake in the first 6 months.

In a study by Mathew et al.³³ including children aged 4 years and younger published in 2021, it was found that breastfeeding rates were higher in families with higher household income, and that this was inversely related to maternal age. In another study, sociodemographic characteristics such as low household income and low maternal age were associated with a decreased likelihood of initiation and continuation of breastfeeding³⁴. In our study, high total household income had a positive effect on the duration of SAS and total breastfeeding in the first 6 months, whereas maternal age and infant gender were not found to be associated with these durations. In a study by Hacıan-Tilaki³⁵, it was reported that mothers with higher educational level breastfed their children for a longer period of time, whereas maternal age and infant gender had no effect on the duration of breastfeeding.

Mothers who received prenatal breastfeeding education are more likely to initiate and continue breastfeeding than mothers who did not receive prenatal breastfeeding education^36-40. In our study, no significant difference was found between mothers who received prenatal breastfeeding education and mothers who did not receive prenatal breastfeeding education in the rates of feeding their babies with EB, and we concluded that mothers who received prenatal breastfeeding education fed their children with breast milk for longer periods.

In many studies, it has been found that smoking by breastfeeding mothers shortens the duration of breastfeeding^41-45. In our study, no significant difference was found between the duration of feeding their babies with EB and total breastfeeding in smoking and nonsmoking mothers. This result made us think that mothers may have hesitated to answer the more personal questions in the questionnaire.

Study Limitations

Our study is limited to individual statements as it was conducted with the survey method. The fact that the survey was conducted face-to-face by a single interviewer helped to ensure that the questions were asked in the same way to each participant and the answers were clearer, but it was not always possible for the participants to perceive all the questions in the survey in the same way. In particular, the question “Have you received prenatal breastfeeding education?” was misunderstood and a high percentage (45.8%) answered AS yes. At the same time, the presence of the mother’s relatives or other people in around during the survey may have prevented the mothers from always giving the clearest and most accurate answer.

Ethics

Ethics Committee Approval: Approval decision with protocol number 2021.213.07.21 was obtained from the Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Medical Faculty Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (date: 27.07.2021).

Informed Consent: Cross-sectional study.

Authorship Contributions

Concept: B.N., Design: B.N., G.Y.Ç., Data Collection or Processing: B.N., G.Y.Ç., A.N., Analysis or Interpretation: B.N., A.N., Literature Search: B.N., G.Y.Ç., Writing: B.N., G.Y.Ç.

Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.

Financial Disclosure: The authors declared that this study received no financial support.

TARTIŞMA

Tekirdağ Namık Kemal Üniversitesi Hastanesi, Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Polikliniği’ne başvuran 5 yaş ve altı çocukları olan ebeveynlere yapılan kesitsel tipteki bu çalışmada, anne sütü alım süresi ve kesilme zamanını etkileyen sosyodemografik veriler, bu süreçte yaşanan problemler ve çözüm yolları araştırılmıştır.

Toplam doğurganlık hızı, bir kadının doğurgan olduğu dönemde 15-49 yaş grubunda doğurabileceği ortalama çocuk sayısı anlamına gelmektedir. Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu 2020 verilerine göre toplam doğurganlık hızı 1,76’dır⁸. Bizim çalışmamızda da ailelerin %47,3’ü tek çocuk, %44 iki çocuk, %6,5 üç çocuk %2,2 üçten fazla çocuk sahibi olarak saptanmıştır.

Çalışmamızda doğum şekli sorgulanmış ve %63,8 sezaryen ile doğum saptanmış olup 2019 yılı Türkiye verilerine göre sezaryen ile doğum oranı %57’dir⁸. Ülkemizde sezaryen ile doğum oranları gittikçe artmakta olup çalışmamızın verileri de Türkiye ortalamasına yakın bulunmuştur. Sezaryen ile doğum yapmanın anne sütü ile beslenmeyi etkilediği düşünüldüğünde bu oranların yüksekliği dikkat çekicidir. Hobbs ve ark.⁹ 2016 yılında yaptıkları çalışmada planlı sezaryen ile doğum ve normal spontan vajinal yolla doğum karşılaştırıldığında; sezaryen ile doğum yapan kadınların doğum sonrası 12 haftadan önce emzirmeyi bırakma oranlarının daha yüksek olduğunu ve sezaryen ile doğumun emzirmeye başlangıç zamanı ile toplam emzirme süresini olumsuz etkilediğini belirtti. Biz de yaptığımız çalışmamızda sezaryen ile doğumun SAS alma ve toplam anne sütü alma sürelerini olumsuz etkilediğini bulduk. Ancak Pérez-Escamilla ve ark.¹⁰ yaptıkları çalışmada sezaryen ile doğumun; eğer anneler doğumdan itibaren emzirmeye başlar ve doğum sonrası en az 4 hafta emzirmeyi sürdürürlerse toplam emzirme süresine etkisi olmadığını belirtmişlerdir. Aynı şekilde Watt ve ark.¹¹ tarafından yapılan çalışmada da doğum sonrası 6 haftaya kadar emzirmeyi sürdüren, sezaryen veya normal spontan vajinal yolla doğum yapan annelerin; toplam emzirme süreleri arasında bir fark bulunmamıştır.

Emzirmeye başlamada yaşanan gecikmeler, bebeğin emme yeteneğinin ve duyarlılığının azalmasına aynı zamanda süt miktarının azalarak yetersiz kalmasına neden olabilir^12-20. Raghavan ve ark.’nın²¹ yaptığı çalışmada, sezaryen ile doğum ve erkek cinsiyetin emzirmeye erken başlamada en büyük risk faktörü olduğu belirtilmiştir. Çalışmamızda doğumdan sonra ilk 1 saat içinde emzirilen bebeklerin, ilk 6 ay SAS alma sürelerinin ve toplam anne sütü alma sürelerinin, ilk 1 saat içinde emzirilmeyen bebeklere göre daha fazla olduğunu saptadık. Bu sonuçlar, doğumdan sonraki ilk 1 saat içinde emzirmeyi başlatmaya teşvik eden ve bebeklerin anneleri ile 24 saat birlikte kalmasını öneren DSÖ’nün başarılı emzirme için 10 adımı ile tutarlıdır^22-24.

İlk çocukta emzirmeyi başlatma ve sürdürmede yaşanan güçlükler, sonraki doğumlarda da aynı sorunların yaşanmasına neden olmaktadır^25,26. Biz de yaptığımız çalışmamızda ilk çocuğunu emziren annelerin diğer doğumlarında çocuklarını ilk 6 ay SAS ile besleme oranlarının daha yüksek olduğu ancak bu durumun toplam anne sütü alma süresine etki etmediğini saptadık.

Preterm bebekler; düzensiz emme becerisi, düşük doğum ağırlığı ve düşük uyanıklık seviyeleri başta olmak üzere çok sayıda soruna sahiptir. Bunlar da emzirmeye başlama ve sürdürmeyi olumsuz yönde etkilemektedir^27,28. Bizim çalışmamızda da erken doğum ve düşük doğum ağırılığı ilk 6 ay SAS alma süresini ve toplam anne sütü alma süresini olumsuz etkilemektedir.

Scime ve ark.²⁹ yaptıkları çalışmada kronik bir hastalığı olan ve olmayan anneler arasında çocuğunu ilk 6 ay SAS ile besleme oranları arasında anlamlı bir fark olmadığını ancak annenin kronik bir hastalığının olmasının toplam anne sütü verme süresini olumsuz yönde etkileyebileceğini belirtmişlerdir. Bizim çalışmamızda da annenin bilinen kronik bir hastalığının olması ilk 6 ay anne sütü verme sürelerini etkilememekte ancak toplam anne sütü verme süresini kısaltmaktadır.

Cohen ve ark.³⁰ yaptıkları meta analizde yüksek eğitim düzeyinin hem emzirmeye başlama hem de devam ettirmede olumlu etkisi olduğunu saptamıştır. Eğitim düzeyi daha yüksek olan ve çalışan annelerin, ev veya çalışma ortamları üzerinde daha fazla kontrole sahip olabilecekleri ve bunun da emzirme süresine olumlu etki yaptığı düşünülmektedir³¹. Laksono ve ark.³² 2021 yılında 5 yaş ve altı 53.528 çocuğun verilerini kullanarak yaptıkları çalışmada ise anne eğitim düzeyi arttıkça çocukların SAS alma süresinin de arttığını ancak SAS alma süresinin anne çalışma durumu ile ters ilişkili olduğunu belirtmişlerdir. Biz ise yaptığımız çalışmada anne eğitim düzeyinin yüksek olması ve annenin çalışıyor olmasının çocukların ilk 6 ay SAS ve toplam anne sütü alma sürelerine olumlu etkiye sahip olduğu sonucuna ulaştık.

Mathew ve ark.’nın³³ 2021 yılında yayınlanan 4 yaş ve altı çocukları dahil ederek yaptıkları çalışmada; hane halkı gelirinin yüksek olduğu ailelerde çocuklarını anne sütü ile besleme oranlarının daha yüksek olduğunu, aynı zamanda bu durumun anne yaşıyla ters bir ilişki içerisinde olduğunu bulmuşlardır. Yine yapılan başka bir çalışmada da düşük hane halkı geliri ve düşük anne yaşı gibi sosyodemografik özelliklerin, emzirmeye başlama ve devam ettirme olasılığını azaltmasıyla ilişkiliydi³⁴. Bizim çalışmamızda ise hane halkı toplam gelirinin yüksek olması ilk 6 ay SAS ve toplam anne sütü alma sürelerine olumlu etki yapmakta iken anne yaşı ve bebeğin cinsiyetinin ise bu sürelerle arasında bir ilişkisi saptanamamıştır. Hacıan-Tilaki’nin³⁵ çalışmasında da eğitim düzeyi yüksek olan annelerin çocuklarını daha uzun süre anne sütü ile besledikleri, anne yaşı ve bebeklerin cinsiyetinin ise anne sütü alma süresine etki etmediği belirtilmiştir.

Doğum öncesi emzirme eğitimi alan annelerin, emzirmeye başlama ve devam etme olasılığı, bu eğitimi almayan annelere göre daha fazladır^36-40. Bizim yaptığımız çalışmada ise doğum öncesi emzirme eğitimi alan ve almayan anneler arasında; bebeklerini SAS ile besleme oranlarında anlamlı bir farklılık bulunmamış olup, doğum öncesi emzirme eğitimi alan annelerin çocuklarını daha uzun süre anne sütü ile besledikleri sonucuna ulaştık.

Yapılan birçok çalışmada emziren annelerin sigara kullanmasının emzirme sürelerini kısalttığı ilişkili bulunmuştur^41-45. Bizim çalışmamızda ise sigara içen ve içmeyen annelerin bebeklerini SAS ile besleme ve toplam anne sütü verme süreleri arasında anlamlı bir fark saptanmadı. Bu sonuç bize annelerin anketteki daha kişisel olan sorulara cevap verirken çekinmiş olabileceklerini düşündürdü.

Çalışmanın Kısıtlılıkları

Çalışmamız anket yöntemi ile yapıldığı için bireysel beyanlar ile sınırlıdır. Anketin tek anketör tarafından ve yüz yüze yapılması, soruların her katılımcıya aynı şekilde sorulmasına ve cevapların daha net olmasına yardımcı olmuştur ancak katılımcıların anketteki bütün soruları aynı şekilde algılayabilmeleri her zaman mümkün olmamıştır. Özellikle ankette sorgulanan doğum öncesi emzirme eğitimi aldınız mı sorusu yanlış anlaşıldığı için yüksek oranda (%45,8) evet cevabı alınmıştır. Aynı zamanda anket yapılırken bazen annenin yakınları veya başka insanların yakın çevrede bulunması annelerin, her zaman en net ve en doğru cevabı vermesini engellemiş olabilir.

Etik

Etik Kurul Onayı: Tekirdağ Namık Kemal Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Girişimsel Olmayan Klinik Araştırmalar Etik Kurulu’ndan 2021.213.07.21 protokol numaralı onay kararı alındı (tarih: 27.07.2021).

Hasta Onayı: Anket uygulanan kesitsel tipte bir çalışmadır.

Yazarlık Katkıları

Konsept: B.N., Dizayn: B.N., G.Y.Ç., Veri Toplama veya İşleme: B.N., G.Y.Ç., A.N., Analiz veya Yorumlama: B.N., A.N., Literatür Arama: B.N., G.Y.Ç., Yazan: B.N., G.Y.Ç.

Çıkar Çatışması: Yazarlar bu makale ile ilgili olarak herhangi bir çıkar çatışması bildirmemiştir.

Finansal Destek: Çalışmamız için hiçbir kurum ya da kişiden finansal destek alınmamıştır.

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