Factors Determining the Duration of Breastfeeding Termination Among Mothers: The Case of Southeast Anatolia Region

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to determine mothers' knowledge of, and practices relating to, the termination of breastfeeding, as well as the factors affecting early termination of breastfeeding. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. The study population included mothers who applied to Siirt Training and Research Hospital. The data were obtained from 300 participants who visited the pediatric clinic between January and March 2024 and were selected via purposive sampling. The data were collected using a descriptive information form developed by researchers in line with the literature and through face-to-face interviews. Results: The participants’ mean age was 28.91±4.98 years, and 42.3% had completed high school or higher education. 81.7% of participants wanted their last pregnancy, 53.7% of them breastfeed within the first 60 minutes after birth, and 33.0% of them received breastfeeding education. 80.7% of participants planned to breastfeed for less than 24 months and wanted to termination of breastfeeding by reducing it and using bitter or unpleasant odors on the breast. 19.0% of participants received education on termination of breastfeeding; the people who provided education were health professionals and family members. The planned breastfeeding duration of shorter than 24 months was 2.23 times higher in those who mostly spoke Kurdish or Arabic in the family, 2.88 times higher in those whose baby was 6-12 months old, and 2.24 times higher in those without breastfeeding education. These significant predictors explained 15.9% of the total variance (P<.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that different ethnic origins, the baby being aged 6-12 months, and not receiving breastfeeding education are important determinants in the planned breastfeeding period being shorter than 24 months at the time of breastfeeding termination. © 2026, Ataturk Universitesi. All rights reserved.