Breast milk reduces the risk of disease in infants
To emphasize the importance of breast milk and breastfeeding, World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year between 1-7 August under the leadership of the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
Public Health Specialist Dr. Instructor Member Nurten Elkin stated that breastfeeding is beneficial for both the mother and reduces the risk of many diseases such as obesity that may occur in infants in later ages.
In the brain development process, which starts in the mother’s womb and continues until the end of the age of two, growth and development can be under ideal conditions, and the acquisition and maintenance of child health is of great importance.
1.5 million children die annually from acute malnutrition
Breastfeeding, which plays an important role in the development of the first bond between mother and baby, has a critical importance for growth and development to be in ideal conditions. Stating that approximately 1.5 million children die from acute malnutrition annually, Istanbul Gelişim University (IGU), Faculty of Health Sciences (SBF) Public Health Specialist Dr. Instructor Member Nurten Elkin: “Worldwide, 20 percent of deaths under the age of 5 are preventable with appropriate nutritional interventions. Malnutrition in pregnant and infants accounts for more than 10 percent of the global burden of disease. breast milk; It is an ideal, original and living natural food that cannot be replaced in infant nutrition.
It contains all the energy and nutrients necessary for the healthy growth and development of the baby. At the same time, breastfeeding provides many nutritional, developmental, psychological, social and economic benefits to the baby and mother. Breast milk supports sensory and cognitive development in infants, reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke seen in later ages. said.
The protective benefits of starting breastfeeding early continue until the baby is six months old. Therefore, breast milk supplemented with additional nutrients in the first 6 months alone and up to 24 months is of great importance for infant nutrition and health.
“After giving birth, the mother should eat well and stay away from stress”
Making suggestions for the protection, promotion and support of breast milk, Dr. Instructor Member Nurten Elkin also emphasized that a suitable environment should be provided for the mother and baby for these methods. Those suggestions are as follows:
– From the beginning of pregnancy, all expectant mothers should be informed and motivated that they can feed their babies with breast milk.
– After birth, breastfeeding mothers should eat well and stay away from fatigue and stress.
– Help from family and friends should be sought so that they can have a regular lifestyle, including sleep.
– Appropriate environments should be provided for breastfeeding mothers in social areas such as shopping malls, restaurants and workplaces so that the society understands that breastfeeding is a natural, easiest and healthy feeding method for the baby.
– Breastfeeding consultants and health professionals should support the mother who has any problems related to breastfeeding technique or breastfeeding.
