Predictors of Maternal Mental Well-Being and Feeding Attitudes in the Complementary Feeding Practices: A Cross-Sectional Study in Karabük Province

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between mothers’ complementary feeding practices, mental well-being, and attitudes toward the feeding process during the complementary feeding period.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional, descriptive study, data were collected from 369 mothers and their infants aged 12–24 months. The “Mother’s Attitudes Towards the Feeding Process Scale (MATFPS)” and the “Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS)” were utilized for data collection. Demographic characteristics of the mothers and infants, breastfeeding behaviors, and complementary feeding practices were assessed.
RESULTS: The mean exclusive breastfeeding duration was 17.99 ± 7.07 weeks, and complementary feeding began at 5.52 ± 0.79 months. Overall, 56.4% of infants were exclusively breastfed for six months. Weak negative correlations were found between MATFPS and WEMWBS scores (p < 0.001) and between maternal age and WEMWBS scores (p = 0.01). WEMWBS score, feeding activities, complementary feeding method, and timing predicted MATFPS scores (R² = 0.21), while maternal age, number of children, and feeding activities predicted WEMWBS scores (R² = 0.13) (p < 0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The study showed that better maternal mental well-being positively influenced attitudes toward complementary feeding. Midwives, nurses, and nutritionists in primary health care can play an important role in improving complementary feeding practices. Increased health literacy among people with chronic diseases positively affects rational medicine use. Expanding education and counselling services in primary care is recommended to promote rational medicine use, support treatment adherence, and reduce preventable medication-related problems.

Keywords: Complementary feeding, psychological well-being, infant health, breastfeeding, feeding behavior.