Weaning Traditional Practices among Mothers coming to Primary Health Care Center in Turkey

The breastfeeding process is as vital for the mother as it is for the baby. Therefore, the weaning is a difficult decision for both parties.

In this study, it is aimed to determine the traditional and non-traditional methods that mothers use to wean their babies.

The descriptive type of study was conducted between 15 May 2018 and 15 October 2018 on 1,124 women with healthy children between years of age 2-5 the Primary Health Care Center in Kocaeli province in Turkey. The data was collected using a “Questionnaire Form” prepared by the researchers.

In the findings of the methods used in weaning, it was determined that 31.8% of mothers (n:358) applied a substance to the nipple, which is said to create a frightening effect for the baby.  14.5% of mothers (n:164) were found to apply a substances on the nipple, in order to leave a bitter taste in the mouth of the baby and reduce the desire to suck the nipple. Another method used to wean is to apply something that creates a repulsive effect on the nipple; this method was used by 12.3% of mothers (n:139).  The percentage of women who failed to perform on the first attempt was 11.38% (n:128). The reasons for re-starting breastfeeding were the method to wean not working (21.1%; n:27), the influence of relatives to abandon weaning (6.2%; n:8), and the baby crying too much (89.1%; n:11).
 

In the study, it was determined that some of the mothers used the traditional method for weaning and the majority of the babies of the mothers who used the traditional method responded by crying. In line with these findings; Training and counseling on breastfeeding is recommended to mothers who are breastfeeding by nurses.