In addition to being a source of nutrition for the baby, breast milk helps the development of both the immune system and the intestinal microbiota of the baby, thanks to the biologically active components it contains. Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Assoc. Dr. Yılmaz Güzel gave information about the importance of breast milk.
Assoc. Dr. Yılmaz Güzel said, “By its nature, breast milk has the nutritional values that can meet the needs of a healthy baby who was born at the normal birth week, for the first six months on its own. Milk is a food that is always fresh, clean and ready to be given to its offspring, containing all the nutrients that ensure optimum growth and development for all mammals' offspring. According to the World Health Organization reports, the most common cause of infant mortality in developing countries is infectious diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia. It is stated that the easiest way to prevent these diseases is to be fed with breast milk. It is calculated that approximately 6 million infant deaths per year can be prevented by feeding babies only with breast milk in the first 6 months and continuing breastfeeding with complementary feeding after the 2th month until the age of 1.3 years. However, if breast milk is not sufficient or if the mother cannot breastfeed, babies should be given a suitable milk formula.
“Colostrum, the fluid secreted after birth, is called the 'first vaccine' for the newborn”
Assoc. Dr. Güzel stated that breast milk secreted after birth is called colostrum and said, “It is generally more yellowish in color and thicker than breast milk. It continues to be secreted for an average of 4-5 days. The amount may seem small at first, but since the size of the newborn stomach is small, it is quite sufficient for the baby with its rich content. Colostrum is also called the "first vaccine" because it strengthens the immune system. The benefits of colostrum include protecting the baby's upper respiratory tract, preventing allergic reactions, reducing the risk of infection, improving the digestive system, preventing neonatal jaundice, and rapid growth and development of the baby with the growth factor it contains. With the decrease in colostrum, the color of the milk becomes lighter and changes from yellow to white tones and its consistency starts to become more fluid.
“Newborns should be fed only with breast milk for the first 6 months”
Stating that the mother should start breastfeeding her baby within the first hour after birth, Güzel said, “The first six months should be fed only with breast milk and then continued breastfeeding with additional nutrients until the age of two. Growth and development retardation, otitis media, necrotizing enterocolitis and infections are seen more frequently in children who do not receive adequate breast milk because the digestive system cannot develop sufficiently. These children also face many problems in their future lives. With its rich content, it protects babies from many infections, acute and chronic diseases. With the IgA and antibodies it contains, it helps the development of normal intestinal flora and strengthens the baby's immune system. It also positively affects jaw and tooth development. Breast milk also plays an important role in the brain development of babies. "Babies' brains grow rapidly during the first few years after birth, and breast milk contains omega-3 fatty acids, protein and other nutrients essential for brain development."
“Breast milk is the most important source of nutrients for the health and development of babies”
Güzel said, “Mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed more because of the high nutritional value of breast milk, being easy to digest, being economical, being easily absorbed, and having numerous benefits for mother and baby health. After the birth, the mother should be informed about breastfeeding, if necessary, support should be given and breastfeeding should be encouraged. Even with only breast milk feeding, the morbidity and mortality rates can be minimized. Breast milk is the most important source of nutrients for the health and development of infants and is vital for infants to lead a healthy life for a lifetime.
“Breastfeeding is very beneficial for the mother as well as the baby”
Expressing that the numerous benefits of breastfeeding to the baby have many positive contributions to the mother as well, Güzel said, “The first obvious benefit of breastfeeding for the mother is that the oxytocin hormone secreted with the stimulation of the nipples strengthens the contraction of the uterus. In this way, the amount of postpartum hemorrhage decreases, postpartum bleeding ends in a shorter time, anemia is prevented in the mother with the decrease of postnatal uterine bleeding, and the enlarged uterus during pregnancy shrinks faster and returns to its former state. Oxytocin also establishes a bond of love between mother and baby. It is easier for breastfeeding mothers to lose weight and return to their prenatal body structures. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer in the future of the mother, as well as the risk of osteoporosis in breastfeeding mothers.