Background: Mothers not equipped with sufficient knowledge about child care and using traditional child care methods may cause harm to
their children’s health and even cause handicaps in their children. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine traditional child care
practices of women with infant less than one years age babies. Methods: The descriptive study was conducted in the four districts of Izmir,
where health care is offered by the Primary Health Center. Data were collected by face to face with a questionnaire prepared by the
researchers in view of the relevant literature. The study sample included 70 mothers with infant less than one year old babies. Results:
Turkish mothers had traditional child care practices pertinent to bathing and cutting nails of babies for the first time, swaddling, removal of
the umbilical cord, the evil eye and “kirk basmasi”. Conclusion: Some of these traditional health behaviors can cause health risks. Therefore,
nurses should be aware of traditional behaviors which may pose health risks and attempt to change these behaviors.