Importance of Breast Milk and Benefits of Breastfeeding

Nutrition begins the day we are born and is constantly at the center of our lives until the end of life. For a healthy life, proper nutrition should be adopted from infancy. With proper nutrition, ideal weight gain, healthy growth and development are provided. Healthy developing babies have fewer health problems later in life.

What is the Importance of Breast Milk for Babies?

According to the Breastmilk Encouragement and Implementation Policy (Ministry of Health) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation, every healthy baby is born in the first half of life after birth. - should be breastfed within one hour and only breastfed for the first six months. After the sixth month, complementary foods can be started in addition to breast milk. Breast milk can be given until the child reaches the age of 2 years. It also contains essential vitamins and minerals. In fact, the characteristics of breast milk of babies born prematurely have different nutritional values ​​and properties according to the development of the baby. Therefore, breast milk contributes a lot to the development and growth of the baby in the first 6 months.
Features of postpartum breast milk;

• For the first week after birth, each mother's breasts produce milk called "colostrum". This milk is very important as it contains special compounds to protect the baby against infections. In the second week after birth, the protein content in this milk gradually decreases, while the amount of lactose, fat and total calories increases. For this reason, milk in the second week is called "transitional milk".

After the transitional milk, "mature breast milk" is formed in the following weeks. Mature breast milk contains less carbohydrates and more fat than colostrum milk. In fact, this shows that breast milk is not only special for each baby, but also special for each period of the baby.

• The fact that breast milk is specific to the baby makes it easier to digest than cow's milk, but the lower protein and mineral content compared to cow's milk is important for both the baby's digestion and the health of the kidneys. is working. In addition, the use and absorption of minerals such as iron and zinc in breast milk by the baby is much higher than in cow's milk. For example, the absorption of iron in breast milk is 5 times higher than in cow's milk.

• When we look at the fat content in breast milk, it is seen that the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids, which can be digested more easily, is higher. Fatty acids required for the brain and nervous system are found 8 times more in breast milk than cow's milk, and since these fatty acids cannot be synthesized by babies in the first 4 months, they must be taken with breast milk. In addition, breast milk is always suitable for use; always available fresh and clean. It is also a natural and economical source of nutrition.

• Breast milk helps babies to be more resistant to many diseases thanks to the protein, energy, fat, carbohydrates, enzymes, vitamins and minerals it contains, and hormones.

• Allergy problems are less common in children fed with breast milk.

• Breast milk prevents the development of diaper rash in the baby.

What are the Benefits of Breast Milk?

• Thanks to breastfeeding, the bond between mother and baby becomes stronger and the baby has a healthy personality. is won.
• Helps babies grow healthy and develop their intelligence.
• Helps babies be peaceful.
• Allows babies to sleep comfortably.
• In addition to the benefits for the baby, it helps the breastfeeding mother to lose the weight gained during pregnancy more easily.
• It reduces the risk of maternal breast and ovarian cancer, postmenopausal osteoporosis and hip fracture.

How Should Breastfeeding Order Be? What are the Points to Consider While Breastfeeding?

The baby should be breastfed every time he cries. In addition, breastfeeding should be continued by waking up every 2 hours during night sleep.

Frequent and voluntary breastfeeding; It increases milk production by stimulating the mammary glands

The first 4-6 months of life are very important for the baby's mental and physical health. In the first 4-6 months, as long as breast milk is sufficient, nothing should be given to the baby except vitamin D. Nipple collapse, cracking, sore and swollen breasts make it difficult for the mother to give milk and lead to a decrease in milk. Because; During pregnancy, it is necessary to prepare the breasts for breastfeeding. Such situations can be resolved by following the recommendations below and the required milk yield for the baby can be increased; If it is not possible; The mother can apply a slimming diet after the first 4-6 months period.

If more weight is gained than recommended during pregnancy, it is normal to lose two kilos each month. Weight loss of more than two kilograms per month is not correct.

The nursing mother should not do a weight loss diet, but she should be careful not to overeat floury, fatty and sugary foods.

A sunken nipple should be observed at regular intervals after the fifth month of pregnancy. try to lengthen it by hand massage. If this method does not give results; A special pacifier should be used while breastfeeding. the breasts swell, harden, and the skin becomes red. In this situation; It is necessary to breastfeed or express the baby more frequently.

If breast milk is not sufficient in the first few days after birth, the baby should not be given a baby bottle immediately.

If attention is paid to feeding during breastfeeding; milk yield increases, the baby grows up healthily.

How Does She Know If Breast Milk Is Sufficient?

If the baby who receives breast milk gains 500-600 grams of weight every month and 6-8 days a day If he is making a large amount of light-colored urine once, the amount of milk is sufficient. If breast milk is not enough, the baby should be breastfed frequently because the amount of milk increases as he breastfeeds. During breastfeeding, the baby should be placed on the breast in the correct position.

Breastfeeding mothers should have an adequate and balanced diet and consume plenty of fluids. Bottles and pacifiers should not be preferred as they may cause a decrease in the sucking reflex of the baby.
Complementary foods should not be started early.
It should not be forgotten that the reason for the decrease in the baby's sucking may be the mistakes made during breastfeeding.

What are the Right Breastfeeding Techniques?

Breastfeeding Applying carbonated water, soapy water or various creams to the nipple to clean it before breastfeeding may cause the nipple to crack and the baby to be unable to hold the breast. The best breast care is with breast milk. Environmental factors such as the crowded and noisy environment in which the baby is breastfed also cause a decrease in sucking. If the mother thinks that her baby is not full and gives a pacifier or bottle, this reduces the sucking reflex and develops reluctance towards the breast.
Correct breastfeeding techniques:

• Cover or Cradle position: The mother should sit on a comfortable chair and support her back. The baby's head is placed on the inside of the elbow and a pillow is placed under the same arm to support the arm carrying the head. It is grasped from the back of the baby to the bottom with the arm and hand on which the baby is laid. The baby should be kept close to the mother.

If the baby is full on time, the cuddle position is preferred for breastfeeding. However, since the baby will use the neck muscles to suck in this position, babies born prematurely or with weak neck muscles should be breastfed in this position when they get a little older.

• Reverse hug or Cross cradle position: In small and weak babies, the mother settles in the hug position. The baby's head is grasped with a crossed hand.

• Armpit or Bag position: The mother sits in a comfortable position with the arm supported under her. The baby's feet are laid back under the mother's armpit, with the head forward. The baby's head is supported by the mother's hand. This position can be preferred in order not to force the seams in cesarean delivery, to breastfeed both newborns in twin births and to better grasp babies with sucking difficulties. . The mother's head and back should be supported with a pillow. The back of the baby should be supported with the mother's arm or the baby lying on its side. This position can be preferred if the mother cannot move freely. However, care should be taken not to sleep, especially during night breastfeeding.

What Should Breastfeeding Mothers Eat? How should she be fed?

A nursing mother secretes 700-800 ml of milk per day. This shows that the breastfeeding mother needs more energy, protein, vitamins and minerals than normal. For this reason, more maternal nutrition lori should be taken. If it is not fed enough, it uses the stores in its own body, which can lead to deterioration of the mother's health. Therefore, the mother should be careful about what she consumes.
The energy, protein, calcium and water needs of breastfeeding mothers increase. The mother should consume at least 10 glasses of water daily. To meet the increased need for calcium, milk, yoghurt, ayran, kefir and cheese should be consumed. For the increased protein need, he should eat eggs, meat dishes or legumes. Since the mother's need for vitamins will also increase, she should consume vegetables and fruits. Vitamin D, on the other hand, cannot be taken in adequate amounts with food. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to sunbathing.
In order to provide sufficient iodine need, iodized salt should be used while cooking. Instead of unhealthy snacks, dried fruits and nuts can be preferred as a snack. In addition to these, in order to prevent gas formation in babies, gas-producing dishes should be cooked thoroughly and the meals should be eaten slowly and chewed sufficiently.
Some gas-producing foods can be excluded from the diet for the first few days after cesarean section due to anesthesia, so that there is no gas problem. A dietitian directed by your doctor will regulate your nutrition.

What are the Foods That Increase Breast Milk or Make Breastmilk?

Increasing breast milk in quantity and quality will ensure that the baby's needs are met more quickly in natural ways. For this reason, it is recommended to consume the foods and foods that contain quality protein and carbohydrates listed below. /li>

Oats,

Carrots,

Fish,

Date dates, figs,

Green leafy vegetables,

Legumes, such as kidney beans,

Chickpeas,

tahini,

Dried fruits,

Fennel.

How Should a Nursing Mother's Daily Nutrition Program Be?

Breakfast: 1 glass of milk (sugar, enriched with calcium), 1 egg or 1 matchbox of feta cheese ( 30 grams), 5 olives, 1 – 2 thin slices of bread, 1 tablespoon of molasses or honey or jam, 1 fruit, 1 carrot or tomato
Breakfast:
1 portion of fruit
Lunch:1 portion of meat and vegetable meal (vegetable meatballs, chicken, fish), 1 portion

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