The effect of maternal anxiety levels on the transition period to complementary feeding

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine whether the anxiety levels of mothers before and after complementary feeding (CF) initiation negatively affect the transition period of infants to CF. Materials and methods: The study was conducted with 150 mothers and their infants of five months of age who had not yet started CF. Beck’s depression inventory, state-trait anxiety inventory, and a questionnaire were administered to mothers. The level of statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05 in this study. Results: In this study, no statistically significant relationship was found between the transition period to CF and maternal anxiety levels (p>0.05). The relationship between eating snacks and inadequate weight gain was found significant (p=0.020). Conclusions: In our study, the anxiety levels of the mothers did not increase in the CF period. Although there was no statistically significant, the presence of anxiety in mothers requires a unique approach and support for mothers and their infants.