Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital, Pediatrics and Neonatal Specialist Asst. Prof. Dr. Seyhan Erişir Oygucu stated that every year 1-7 August is celebrated as World Breastfeeding Week in order to increase breastfeeding rates and to support healthy generations. Oygucu who made a statement regarding this week, explained that the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have organized campaigns and activities dedicated to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding.
Pediatrics and Neonatal Specialist Asst. Prof. Dr. Seyhan Erişir Oygucu stressed that WHO and UNICEF recommends that breastfeeding should start within the first hour after delivery and that infants should only be exclusively breastfed for six months and should receive complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age. Oygucu said that according to the WHO data, the rate of initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour worldwide is 42% whereas Turkey has a higher rate (50%) but on the other hand breastfeeding 0-5 months of age has reduced to 41% worldwide and to 30% in Turkey. Asst. Prof. Dr. Seyhan Erişir Oygucu stated that in Turkey the breastfeeding rates until the age of 1 is 68% (worlwide 71%) and until the age of 2 the rate is 34% (worldwide 45%).
Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital Pediatrics and Neonatal Specialist Asst. Prof. Dr. Seyhan Erişir Oygucu explained that ‘Colostrum’ which is secreted in the first 5 days after child birth supports the immune system and is rich in minerals and transitional milk that is produced to two weeks after birth contains high quantities of fat, calories and lactose. Oygucu stated that the secretion of mature milk starts at 4 – 6 weeks after birth; at the beginning of breastfeeding, milk rich in carbohydrate is produced and after a milk rich in fat is produced. It is difficult to predict when this change occurs during the breastfeeding process but the important thing is that the baby should consume all the milk each time and stop on their own. In this case, we can consider that baby has consumed the milk rich in fat.
Breastfeeding has many benefits for both babies and their mothers
Pediatrics and Neonatal Specialist Asst. Prof. Dr. Seyhan Erişir Oygucu stated that breast milk contains macronutrients such as fat, protein, lactose, A, B1, B2, B6, B12, vitamin D and micronutrients such as iodine, as well as growth factors and immunological factors such as bioactive contents.
Oygucu concluded her words as follows: “Growth factors supports intestinal maturation, development of nervous system, regulation of metabolism and body composition, prevention of anemia. Thanks to the factors that support the immune system, the baby is protected against infections; breast milk, which can be defined as the miracle of nature, also has many micro-organisms and especially bifidobacteria. These probiotic bacteria and the prebiotic effect of breast milk contents protect the intestinal integrity and remove harmful microorganisms. Therefore, breast milk provides lifelong regulation to the baby’s immune system. Finally, it should be remembered that breastfeeding is important for the health of the mother as well as the numerous benefits for the baby. Breastfeeding accelerates the recovery of the uterus after birth and protects the mother from excessive bleeding and thus anemia, as well as makes it easier for the mother to reach her pre-pregnancy weight. Reduces the risk of developing breast, ovarian cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis in the future. Breastfeeding strengthens the emotional bond between the mother and the baby, supports the baby’s mental, physical and intelligence development. “