Infant-Feeding Attitudes Before Parenthood: A Cross-Sectional Study of Women and Men Without Children

Öz

This study examined infant-feeding attitudes and associated factors among women and men without children. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted online between February and June 2026 and included 312 participants. Data were collected using a Sociodemographic Information Form and the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS). The mean total scale score was 64.50 ± 6.72, and women scored significantly higher than men. Scale scores differed significantly according to educational level, occupation, perceived income, previous infant-care experience, previous infant-feeding education, and intention to have children. Although most participants knew that breast milk alone is sufficient during the first six months, knowledge gaps were identified regarding early initiation of breastfeeding, breastfeeding on demand, and avoiding water during this period. These findings point to the importance of considering infant-feeding education during the pre-parenthood period, including both women and men, with attention to practical breastfeeding recommendations.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Infant feeding
• Adults without children
• Breastfeeding
• Attitude

Etik Beyan

Ethical approval was obtained from the Pamukkale University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee before the study commenced (meeting date: 27 January 2026; decision no.: 02; document no.: E-60116787-020-821148).

Teşekkür

The authors would like to thank all participants who voluntarily took part in the study for their valuable contributions.

Ebeveynlik Öncesinde Bebek Beslenmesine Yönelik Tutumlar: Çocuğu Olmayan Kadın ve Erkeklerle Kesitsel Bir Çalışma

Öz

Bu çalışma, çocuğu olmayan kadın ve erkeklerin bebek beslenmesine yönelik tutumlarını ve ilişkili faktörleri belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel araştırma, Şubat–Haziran 2026 tarihleri arasında çevrim içi olarak yürütülmüş ve 312 katılımcı araştırmaya dâhil edilmiştir. Veriler, Sosyodemografik Bilgi Formu ve Bebek Beslenmesi Tutum Ölçeği (Iowa) kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Katılımcıların ölçek toplam puan ortalaması 64,50 ± 6,72’dir. Kadınların puanları erkeklerden anlamlı düzeyde yüksektir. Ölçek puanları eğitim düzeyi, meslek, algılanan gelir, bebek bakım deneyimi, bebek beslenmesi eğitimi alma ve çocuk sahibi olma düşüncesine göre anlamlı farklılık göstermiştir. Katılımcıların çoğu yalnızca anne sütünün ilk altı ay yeterli olduğunu bilmesine rağmen, emzirmenin erken başlatılması, bebeğin isteğine göre emzirilmesi ve ilk altı ay su verilmemesi konularında bilgi eksiklikleri belirlenmiştir. Bu bulgular, ebeveynlik öncesi bebek beslenmesi eğitiminde hem kadınların hem de erkeklerin kapsanmasının ve pratik emzirme önerilerine yer verilmesinin önemine işaret etmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Bebek beslenmesi
• Çocuğu olmayan yetişkinler
• Emzirme
• Tutum

Etik Beyan

Araştırma başlamadan önce Pamukkale Üniversitesi Girişimsel Olmayan Klinik Araştırmalar Etik Kurulundan etik onay alınmıştır (toplantı tarihi: 27 Ocak 2026; karar no: 02; belge no: E-60116787-020-821148).

Teşekkür

Araştırmaya gönüllü olarak katılan tüm katılımcılara değerli katkıları için teşekkür ederiz.

Kaynakça

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