Factors affecting breast milk and the effects of pacifier use on breastfeeding

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to determine the sociodemographic factors breastfeeding, pacifier use, the problems that may experience in breastfeeding, show effect of pacifier use on breatsfeeding. Material and Methods: A questionnaire was applied by 349 mothers with babies between 24-60 months. Results: The breastfeeding rate was 97%. Increasing week of birth, male gender, being first and/or only child, increasing maternal age, fathers’s support for breastfeeding, long maternity leave, increase the duration of breastfeeding; low birth weight, breastfeeding of siblings less than 6 months, high education level of mothers, pregnancy maternal smoking, early initiation of formula, pacifier use adversely affected breastfeeding. The pacifier use was 41,8%, the duration was 18±10,22 months. Pacifier use decreased breastfeeding, it increased the risk of weaning before 6 months by 5,1 times. Conclusion: To increase duration of breastfeeding, mothers should be supperted, early initiation of additional food, formula, pacifier’s negative effects use on breastfeeding should be explained.