Breast Milk / The Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Baby and the Mother
Benefits for the baby:
Reduces the risk of acute and chronic illnesses:
Lower respiratory tract infections
Otitis media (middle ear inflammation)
Bacterial meningitis
Urinary tract infections
Necrotizing enterocolitis
Allergic diseases
Sudden infant death syndrome
Insulin-dependent diabetes
Diarrhea
Lymphomas
Obesity
Crohn’s disease
Ulcerative colitis
Chronic gastrointestinal diseases
Strengthens the immune system:
Antibodies, secretory IgA
Cellular immunity, live cells
Helps in the formation of normal flora
Prebiotic and probiotic properties
Protects against infections
Increases the effectiveness of vaccines
Benefits for growth, development, and psychological health:
Strengthens the mother-baby bond
Helps in the emotional, physical, and intellectual development of the baby
Important for conditions such as attention deficit syndrome and indifference
Positively impacts jaw and teeth development
Growth factors, organ, and tissue maturation
Benefits for the mother:
Health benefits:
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial (uterine lining) cancer, and other cancers.
Protects against osteoporosis (bone loss).
Helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size, prevents excessive blood loss, and protects against anemia.
Breastfeeding slows down the progression of endometriosis.
Aids in weight loss; breastfeeding increases daily energy requirements by about 500-600 kcal. A healthy, well-nourished mother can lose weight more easily as fat tissue is used for milk production.
Psychological benefits:
Promotes the development of maternal instincts.
Strengthens the bond between mother and baby.
Increases the mother’s self-confidence, positively affecting milk production.
Acts as a natural tranquilizer for the mother.
What to pay attention to while breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding should begin within the first 30 minutes to 1 hour after birth. No other drinks should be given to the baby before breastfeeding. The baby should be breastfed whenever it demands, and pacifiers should not be given to breastfed babies.
During the first 6 months, babies should only receive breast milk. Breastfeeding techniques should be taught to mothers.
After 6 months, all babies should receive complementary foods, and breastfeeding can continue until 2 years old or beyond.
To increase milk production, the baby and mother should stay in the same room after birth and begin breastfeeding immediately. The key to increasing milk supply is frequent breastfeeding with the correct technique.
The mother should have a sufficient and balanced diet, drinking plenty of fluids. Along with water, nutrient-dense beverages such as milk and freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices should be preferred.
The diet of the mother is one of the primary factors affecting the composition of breast milk. The amount of energy and nutrients consumed during pregnancy and lactation influences the overall composition of the milk. Therefore, women should be educated on the importance of a balanced diet during pregnancy and lactation, as variations in their diet will affect the milk and consequently the baby’s growth and development.
Weight loss diets should not be followed during lactation. If energy intake drops below 1800 calories a day, the necessary nutrients may not be adequately obtained. A low-calorie diet at the beginning of lactation can reduce milk production and negatively affect its nutritional value.
Alcohol and smoking should be avoided during lactation.
The mother should be allowed to rest, and emotional support should be provided. She should engage in physical contact with the baby.
The mother should receive emotional support, be encouraged to relax, and be helped to gain confidence.
Babies should be closely monitored for growth and development during the period of breastfeeding.
Breast Milk and Breastfeeding Counseling:
Breast milk has many positive effects on both infant and maternal health. It is known that more than one million children around the world cannot be breastfed each year and suffer from diarrhea, respiratory infections, and other diseases. It should be remembered that every mother has enough milk for her baby (and even for twins/triplets), and the only requirement is educating new mothers and families on breastfeeding techniques. Common issues for new mothers include difficulties in breastfeeding, weight loss in babies, elevated jaundice, refusal of the breast, breast engorgement, cracked nipples, and mastitis. Many mothers are unable to breastfeed due to problems with their breasts and start formula feeding early. Although this process is natural, mothers may need help. Breastfeeding mothers need trust, encouragement, and support. This support should come from an experienced hospital staff member who is knowledgeable about breastfeeding observation. Preventing issues before they arise is the key preventive approach in breastfeeding problems. Therefore, breastfeeding counseling should begin before birth. If breastfeeding problems occur after birth, receiving counseling as early as possible, while the baby is still small, is crucial. Providing breastfeeding support increases the likelihood of continued breastfeeding. Our goal is to increase milk production by instilling self-confidence in the mother, enabling her to breastfeed her baby with the correct technique for the appropriate duration.
Counseling includes:
Providing information to new mothers about breastfeeding and milk production methods
Supporting mothers who have breastfeeding problems
Teaching what can be done in cases of nipple cracks and engorgement
Observing how mothers with breastfeeding issues feed their babies
Educating about what to do when babies refuse the breast
Supporting mothers of low-birth-weight and premature babies
Providing information on milk expression and storage for mothers returning to work
Breast Milk and Breastfeeding Counselor:
Educating all pregnant women who have completed their 32nd week about breastfeeding
Assessing mother-baby pairs who experience breastfeeding difficulties, identifying problems, and regulating nutrition
Monitoring breastfeeding mothers and babies at regular intervals
Providing breastfeeding education to every new mother
Visiting every breastfeeding mother to perform breast examinations, inquire about breastfeeding techniques, and advise on how often and with what technique to feed the baby and how they themselves should be nourished.
In summary, the role of the Breast Milk and Breastfeeding Counselor is to prevent incorrect breastfeeding practices, promote and support breastfeeding, and determine the educational needs of new mothers during their hospital stay, planning their breastfeeding education accordingly. This education continues until the new mother is successful in practice. Efforts should be made to prevent mothers from losing confidence and stopping breastfeeding, which often happens when they mistakenly believe their baby is still hungry or their milk is insufficient.