Hospital practices and doctor's attitudes leading to early introduction of complements to infant diets in Istanbul.
Infant feeding pattern among 269 mothers living in three socio-economically distinct areas of Istanbul was ascertained by a cross-sectional study. In spite of a relatively high prevalence of breastfeeding, mothers displayed a marked tendency toward early introduction of complements. Early complementary feeding and weaning was positively associated with the mother's degree of urbanization, educational, and socio-economic status and hospital deliveries. A prospective study carried out among 24 mothers strived to identify the underlying reasons for early complementation in areas with low to middle socio-economic characterization. Direct advice from doctors was found to be responsible for mother's decisions to introduce complements in many of instances.
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014421:Turkey; D014886:Weaning