Breast milk is a unique and irreplaceable source of nutrition for infants, offering protection against many common childhood diseases due to its natural sterility, accessibility, and immune-boosting antibodies. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is critical for healthy growth, development, and immune support. Despite global recommendations by WHO and UNICEF, lack of knowledge and inadequate support continue to hinder optimal breastfeeding practices.
One major barrier is the persistence of cultural myths and misconceptions, such as "colostrum should be discarded," or "infants need water after every feeding." These unfounded beliefs may reduce mothers' confidence and lead to early cessation of breastfeeding or premature introduction of complementary foods.
This study aims to examine the relationship between mothers' belief in breastfeeding myths and their motivation to breastfeed. While prior research has explored each factor individually, no known studies have analyzed their interaction.
Eligibility
Sex
FEMALE
Min age
18 Years
Max age
—
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion Criteria:
* Having an infant aged 0-6 months
* Having breastfed the baby at least once
* Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study
Exclusion Criteria:
* Having a physical or psychiatric health condition that prevents breastfeeding
* Having had a multiple (twin or more) pregnancy
* Exclusively formula-feeding the baby
Primary outcome measure(s)
Demographic, Birth, and Breastfeeding Characteristics of Participants — At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment) Collected using a 25-question Descriptive Information Form developed by the researchers. Includes maternal demographics, pregnancy and birth history, infant characteristics, breastfeeding status, beliefs, and motivational factors.
Belief in Breastfeeding Myths — At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment) Measured using the Breastfeeding Myths Scale developed by Yılmaz Sezer et al. (2024). The scale consists of 30 items in a single dimension. Total scores range from 30 to 150, with higher scores indicating a stronger belief in breastfeeding myths. A cut-off score of 119.50 is used to distinguish between low and high levels of myth belief.
Breastfeeding Motivation — At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment) Breastfeeding motivation was measured using the Breastfeeding Motivation Scale, originally developed by Kestler-Peleg et al. (2015) and adapted into Turkish by Mızrak Şahin et al. (2019). The scale consists of 24 items and assesses five subdimensions: Integrated Regulation, Intrinsic Motivation and Identified Regulation, Introjected Regulation - Social Approval, Introjected Regulation - Social Pressure, and External Regulation - Additional Benefits. Each subdimension score is calculated separately based on the mean of relevant items. Scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating higher levels of motivation in the respective subdimension.
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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