Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding and infant anthropometric measurements: a cross-sectional study from Türkiye

Exclusive breastfeeding is widely recommended during the first six months of life because of its well-documented health benefits for both mothers and infants. Despite these recommendations, exclusive breastfeeding rates remain suboptimal in many settings. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding and to examine the relationship between infant feeding practices and anthropometric measurements. This cross-sectional study included 319 mother–infant pairs attending seven Family Health Centers in Konya, Türkiye, in 2023. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were obtained using a structured questionnaire, and breastfeeding self-efficacy was assessed with the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form (BSES-SF). Group comparisons were performed using chi-square and independent-samples t tests. Variables considered clinically relevant were entered into a multivariable binary logistic regression model using the Enter method to identify factors independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Maternal smoking, educational level, household income, postpartum depression, pacifier use, and breastfeeding self-efficacy were independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Maternal age, infant age, employment status, gestational age, and mode of delivery were included in the regression model but were not independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Infants who were exclusively breastfed or received mixed feeding were more likely to have a weight percentile of ≥ 50 than infants who were exclusively formula-fed. No significant differences were observed between feeding groups in length or head circumference percentiles. Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with several maternal and breastfeeding-related characteristics. These findings highlight the importance of supporting mothers during the breastfeeding period and may contribute to the development of interventions aimed at improving exclusive breastfeeding rates. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify the temporal relationships between these factors and breastfeeding practices.