Mothers’ attitudes on breastfeeding period and supplemented food based on their vvorking status in Konya

Aim: İn this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of vvorking status of mothers on breastfeeding and using additive food for feeding. Methods: The study vvas consisted of 458 mothers (302 housevvives and 156 vvorking women) having at least 12 months old children. The population samples chosen by using a formula vvere select- ed in tvvo steps. İn the first step, the cluster sampling systematically based on population localities. İn the second step, the mothers of children living in day-center vvere taken into the survey population. Data vvere obtained via çuestonnaire techniçue by intervvieving. Results: The ratio of mothers vvho continued educating after primary school vvas 25% of housevvives and 96% of vvorking mothers. The median of breastfeeding period in housevvives vvas 12 months, but in vvorking mothers it vvas 8 months. This difference vvas significant. The ratio of initiation time of using additive food for feeding before the first four month in vvorking mothers vvas tvvo-fold than that in the house- vvifes. One third of mothers started to feed their babies with commercial supplement foods. The ratio of housevvife mother, starting vvith fluid of home made meal, vvas higher than in vvorking mothers. Conclusion: VVorking moth­ ers could be supported for breastfeeding their babies for longer period. İn addition, increasing education levels of female population and education on infant feeding may encourage to positive attitudes for giving the supplement­ ed food and breastfeeding in population.