According to the 2018 data from the Sixth Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS), the rate of exclusive breastfeeding during the first month of life was found to be 59.2%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors in mothers experiencing breastfeeding problems and in their newborn infants. The present study was conducted prospectively and descriptively in the Breastfeeding and Relactation Unit of a university hospital between 01.03.2024 and 29.04.2024. The study population consisted of mothers with newborn infants who applied to the unit. A questionnaire prepared by the researchers was administered through face-to-face interviews with the mothers, and the responses were recorded. Sixty-six mothers with newborn infants were included in the study. Of the infants, 92.4% were delivered by cesarean section, and 13.6% were premature. Before delivery, 18.2% of the mothers had received breastfeeding education. The rate of maternal smoking was 9.1%, and the rate of maternal chronic disease was 15.2%. It was determined that 74.2% of the mothers initiated breastfeeding within the first half hour after delivery. Mothers who had received prenatal breastfeeding education were found to have higher rates of initiating breastfeeding within the first half hour after birth. Receiving breastfeeding education during pregnancy contributes positively to early breastfeeding success. Professional breastfeeding support in the postpartum period also demonstrated significant positive effects.

Keywords: newborn, breastfeeding, relactation, breast milk, lactation