Objective: Breastfeeding is the most appropriate way for healthy growth of infants. Breastfeeding is the simplest, rational and economic step that can be taken for a healthy life. The aim of this study was to determine the factors affecting breastfeeding behavior of breastfeeding mothers and their knowledge about breastfeeding.

Material and Method: This is a cross-sectional study. In this study conducted in Malatya center in 2017, 200 women selected as sampling were included in the study. A questionnaire was used to question the knowledge and behaviors of breast milk.

Results: The mean age of the mothers was 29.41±5.96. 60.0% of the women stated that they breastfed their babies within the first half hour after birth, 88.0% stated that their first food was breast milk, and 73.0% stated that they breastfed their babies whenever they wanted. 54.0% of the mothers expressed that they gave water to their baby while giving breast milk. The average duration of mothers feeding their babies with only breast milk is 5 months. The total duration of breastfeeding is longer in mothers aged 36 years and older.

It was observed that university mothers and high income mothers had higher levels of knowledge about breast milk (p<0.05).

Conclusion: In breastfeeding mothers in the city center of Malatya, only breastfeeding time was below the recommended period (6 months). Most mothers gave their baby breast milk as the first food. In the first 6 months, breastfeeding rate is high. Training should be increased for mothers with low education and income.

Breast feeding Knowledge Infant