Traditional Practices Regarding Baby Care: Are They Different in The East and The West?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate whether there is a difference between the Eastern and Western regions of Turkey in terms of traditional practices related to baby care. Method: The research data were collected by applying a questionnaire consisting of 62 questions to 263 participants who volunteered to participate in the study by face-to-face interview technique. Results: It was determined that there was statistical significance between some traditional practices of the mothers according to the living situation in the East and West regions (p<0.05). Among these practices: while salting the baby, waiting for the umbilical cord to fall for the baby's first bath, taking the baby out before half-time is more practiced in the Western region; Giving food and drink to the baby before and after breastfeeding, taking twenty-forty baths with the baby, putting something in the baby's twenty-forty bath water, doing something for the baby's umbilical cord to fall early and doing something to the fallen umbilical cord, to prevent the baby from being jaundiced and in case of jaundice It was determined that practices such as doing something at home, swaddling the baby, making the baby smart/ good-natured/ not crying all the time, and doing something at home when the baby has diarrhea and thrush are more common in the East region. According to the mother's living in the East or West; There was no statistical significance between waiting 3 prayer times to breastfeed the baby, giving colostrum, naming it, the first place the baby took him when he got sick, and the practices he did at home when he got a fever, using something other than diaper cream when a diaper rash occurred, and applications to protect the baby from the evil eye (p>0.05). Conclusion: As a result of the research, it was determined that the traditional practices of baby care in the East and West in our country were different. In addition, it was determined that mothers living in the East used more traditional methods, which were harmful to infant health, in infant care.