Objective:This study aimed to determine feeding behaviors andbreastfeeding patterns of 15-49 years old mothers and to identifyfactors having impact on these practices.Methods:Three hundred and thirty mothers (15-49 years old)were included in the study. They were selected by simple randomized sampling method among those women who applied to gynecology clinics at Mardin Maternity and Child Health Hospital,between 1st October and 30th November, 2012. A pre-preparedquestionnaire was applied to the participants by using face to faceinterviewing technique.Results:Of 330 mothers with mean age of 28.2±5.2 years, 23.5%gave breast milk to their babies until 6 months, with 24.4% until 12months, 40.8% until 24 months and 11.3% over 24 months. Therate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months was 69.1%.Exclusive breastfeeding rate was higher among the the mothers having higher educational level (p=0.017). Mothers who started to givecomplementary food to their babies after 6 months were mostlyfrom vocational high schools and universities; as the educational levelof mothers decreased, some statistically nonsignificant divergencesfrom this encouraged practice were seen, significance (p>0.05).Mothers who were graduates from vocational high schools and universities, got information about breastfeeding mostly from healthprofessionals. The source of information was family and close relatives/friends for the participants having lower educational level (p=0.018).Conclusions:Although breastfeeding is a common practice amongmost of the participants, as the educational level decreases, startingcomplementary feeding at unrecommended months increase. Onthe other hand, as the educational level of mothers decreases, theperiod of breastfeeding prolongs.