The Effect of Smoking During Pregnancy on Infant Feeding Attitude: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: For initiation and continuation of breastfeeding, it is important that women decide on the method of feeding the infant before gestation. Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the smoking pattern of pregnant womenand its influence on infant feeding attitude. Design And Setting: Cross-sectional study was conducted with pregnant women. Method: Thiscross-sectional study was conducted with 318 pregnant women between 15 August and 31 October 2019 in Turkey. Data was collected by the "Descriptive Information Form" and the "The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAC). Chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were used for data analysis. Results: Young ages, being housewife and not cigarette smoking increased the risk in terms of neutral or negative attitude to breastfeeding. As two thirds of women declared neutral attitude to breast feeding, interventions to increase breastfeeding decisions should target all pregnant women especially at younger ages. Conclusions: Young ages, being a housewife and not cigarette smoking have increased the risk in terms of neutral or negative attitude towards breastfeeding. In this study, although those who smoke before and during pregnancy have a more positive attitude towards breastfeeding, it is recommended that healthcare professionals take into account the smoking factor, which negatively affects the breastfeeding tendency, in their breastfeeding training during pregnancy.