Determining the relationship between mothers' breastfeeding myths and breastfeeding attitudes and success in Türkiye

Abstract

Breastfeeding myths are defined as culturally ingrained misconceptions about breastfeeding. These myths negatively affect the breastfeeding process. This descriptive and correlational study was conducted to examine the relationship between breastfeeding myths and mothers' breastfeeding attitudes and success during the first six months of breastfeeding.  The research was conducted with 384 mothers with babies at Kars Harakani State Hospital in Türkiye.  In the study, an introductory information form, the Breastfeeding Myths Scale, the Breastfeeding Attitudes Assessment Scale, and the LATCH Breastfeeding Charting System and Assessment Tool were used. The study data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, independent groups t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation analysis. Study results showed that mothers with lower levels of education and those living in extended families were more likely to hold breastfeeding myths. The study revealed that levels of breastfeeding myths decrease as breastfeeding attitudes and successes of mothers increase. We conclude that nurses need to provide targeted breastfeeding education to mothers to improve breastfeeding attitudes and success while reducing the prevalence of breastfeeding myths. This will increase mothers' breastfeeding attitudes and success and reduce the myth levels of mothers who hold breastfeeding myths. Thus, maternal and infant health, will be protected.