ABSTRACT

Complementary feeding is important in early childhood. Therefore, raising awareness of families about complementary feeding is of importance. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the parents’ knowledge and experience of infant feeding.

This study was made in the pediatric outpatient clinic at Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital between 25.09.2012 and 25.11.2012. A questionnaire including questions regarding infant feeding was administered to 417 parents (250 mothers, 167 fathers).

The mothers had a moderate or low education level. It was observed that starting complementary feeding and the kind of the food significantly correlated with the age and the education level of the mothers. The education level of the fathers was found to be statistically significantly correlated with the knowledge of breastfeeding duration and the time of starting complementary feeding (p=0.005).

Education of parents about time to start complementary feeding and food ingredients is important for healthy growth and development of children.