The Effect of Woman’s Work Status on Breast-Feeding

Aim: The study was planned in order to determine the effect of woman’s work status on breast-feeding in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

Method: Descriptive and crossectional study was applied with mothers that their babies who is in the period between 6-12 months and mothers who apply to outpatient clinic of the Department of child public hospital and 190 mothers who have not job and 190 mothers that have same characteristic with other 190 mothers and who work in 3 different government agency of TRNC on March-October 2009. Socio-demographic character, nursing status and survey method were used by researchers to determine impacts on nursing of working status. Tanımlayıcı, kesitsel bir çalışma olan bu araştırmanın örneklemini Mart-Ekim 2009 tarihleri arasında KKTC’de 6-12 aylık bebeğini muayeneye getiren çalışan ve çalışmayan anneler oluşturmuştur.

Results: It was determined that 25,3% of nonworking mothers nursed every two hours and 56,8% of working mothers nursed every 4 hour and at infrequent intervals. 51,6% of working mothers and 91,6% of nonworking women nursed their baby 4 meals a day. Watches examined, mothers were concentrated breastfeeding, 45,3% of nonworking mothers generally nursed their baby in morning hours and 66,3% of working mothers generally nursed their baby in evening hours. 78,9% of nonworking mothers and 87,9% of working mothers were giving formula feeding. Analyzing the reasons for starting formula feeding, 46,7% of nonworking mothers expressed that not enough their milk and 26,3% of working mother were beginning through work. Working mothers want to nurse during 17,03±6,84 months and nonworking mothers want to nurse during 17,57±6,11 months.

Conclusion: Regarding to the outcomes, in working mothers was decreased frequency and time of nursing and increased formula feeding.