Attitudes and practices of postnatal mothers and their accompanying relatives to breastfeeding in public at a university hospital in Turkey

Abstract

Background: Mothers face social and cultural obstacles to breastfeeding in public. Aims: This study evaluated the attitudes and practices of Turkish women regarding breastfeeding in public. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out in a university hospital among 200 new postnatal mothers and their 200 accompanying female relatives. Data were obtained using a questionnaire and the Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS). Results: Respondents mostly believed that there was nothing wrong with breastfeed in public and almost half of them thought the society would perceive breastfeeding in public negatively. Some 56.5% of the mothers who had previously had children and 37.2% of their relatives had breastfed in public before. The acceptance of breastfeeding in public increased “if the breast is covered” and “if a private space is provided”. The mean total IIFAS score was 61.53 (6.19) in the mothers and 60.65 (6.69) in their relatives. Based on IIFAS, the mothers (92.0%) and their relatives (89.5%) were neutral to breastfeeding, but age, education, employment status, and opinions regarding breastfeeding in public affected the IIFAS scores. IIFAS score was significantly higher in women who had breastfed in public before. Conclusion: Although the women knew the importance of breastfeeding, they mostly did not breastfeed in public because of the cultural implications and the lack of private breastfeeding areas. Awareness-raising, availability of breastfeeding rooms, and education of supporting relatives can help the increase willingness of mothers to breastfeed even if it is in public.