European University of Lefke (EUL) Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Academician Prof. Dr. Cahide Yağmur draw attention to breastfeeding and natural diet and made some statements on the subject.

Yağmur said that, “Breastfeeding itself in the first 6 months of baby feeding, meets all the needs of the baby”, and pointed out the aim of nutrition within the first age of the baby as; ensuring healthy growth and development, and psychological, social and cultural development; and gaining the right eating habits from birth. Yağmur stated that, this period is the process of rapid growth and development (0-1 years is the fastest growth period), and added that the babies have more fluid-energy and other nutrient requirements per unit of body weight than adults, and the characteristics of their digestive system are different.

Yağmur: Breast milk alone is sufficient and most natural food

Yağmur said that, “Each living being’s milk is the most suitable food for its own baby. The baby’s growth rate and the digestive system are in accordance with the characteristics of the breast milk’s composition” and added that an ideal mixture (Mama-formula) to replace breast milk could not be found. Pointing out that the breast milk is the most appropriate and natural food that meets all of the nutrients sufficient for the normal growth and development of every newborn infant who has received adequate requirements from the mother and is sufficient for the first 6 months, Yağmur said that the breast milk fully meets the baby’s water needs for the first 6 months, so the baby does not need to be given water.

Yağmur stated that, the milk which is lactated after the first two or three days of the birth is called Colostrum or “beastings” in colloquial language and added that this milk, which is in dark lemon yellow color, has a few times more of solids than normal milk, despite its small amount. Yağmur also stated that, Colostrum, which is very rich in immunity substances, should be given to the baby without wasting a drop. Yağmur said that, “In the following days, colostrum is replaced by normal milk. An adequate and balanced fed breastfeeding mother lactates 700-800 ml of milk per day”, and listed the factors that affect the lactation as; Mother’s psychological state is effective in lactation. Fear, sadness, fatigue, reduces lactation. If the mother is irregular and undernourished, enough milk is not secreted.

Yağmur: There are some factors that stimulate milk secretion

Yağmur said that, “There are hormones that regulate the secretion of milk. The more secreted these hormones are, the more milk is produced. There are several factors that affect these hormones and stimulate more milk secretion” and listed these factors as; mother’s desire to give milk, love to her child, feeling close to her child, mother’s psychological state, feeling that the baby is fed.

Yağmur listed that factors that attaches importance to breastfeeding as; Breast milk is always clean, its temperature is ideal, its contents are suitable for the needs of the baby, it contains special substances that protect the baby against diseases. Protects against allergy and protects the baby from rash. It helps the baby’s spiritual, physical and mental development. It is cheap, does not require preparation. It facilitates a loving relationship by strengthening the emotional bond between the mother and her baby. It reduces the risk of some chronic diseases such as type I diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Diarrhea, abdominal pain and constipation are less common in breast-fed children. It provides jaw and tooth development. Breastfeeding is vital for the infant and mother. The cognitive development scores of the babies with breast milk are found to be higher. There is a strong psychological link between breast-fed infants and their mothers. It is suggested that this bond may affect the personal and social development of childhood.

Giving information about the nutrient composition of breast milk Yağmur stated that, breast milk is very qualified in terms of protein, it is a sample protein and all can be used by the body. Yağmur said that breast milk is very important for brain development as it is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and that the level of these fatty acids is closely related to the nutrition of the mother. Yağmur said that, “The total amount of mineral in breast milk protects the baby’s kidney from solute loading. The iron found in breast milk is absorbed in an unreachable rate in any food and protects the baby from anemia. Vitamim A, E, C, Niacin (B3) in mother’s milk are also higher. Yağmur also pointed out that the need of Vitamin C of a baby who is regularly and enough breastfed is met with the breast milk and that no supplementary food including Vitamin C such as fruit juice or puree is not necessary.

Yağmur: Breast-fed infants are at lower risk of developing diseases

Pointing out that enzymes in mother’s milk, prepare the milk for absorption while still in the baby’s mouth and stomach and allow the baby’s stomach to empty in a very short span such as 15-45 minutes, Yağmur emphasized that breast milk is safer in terms of health-related environmental factors and that breast-fed infants are less likely to develop diseases (diarrhea and respiratory diseases, chronic diseases) and have a lower risk of developing obesity. Yağmur further stated that breast feeding is also beneficial for the mother and listed these benefits as; it protects the health of the mother, breastfeeding immediately after the birth can lead to uterine contractions and control of postpartum hemorrhage, it makes it easier for the mother to lose weight after childbirth, and it also reduces the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis.

Yağmur pointed out that the baby should be breast fed whenever she/he cries and that it is not necessary to wait for a specified length of time. She also stated that babies’ stomach emptying period varies between 2-4 hours and already the baby will already cry within this period. Yağmur said that, “However, it should be kept in mind that the baby may cry because of some illnesses other than the need for nutrition. As the baby and mother stay in the same room after birth, the baby’s smell, sound and crying increase milk secretion as well as frequent breastfeeding”.

Pointing out that breast milk should be given to the baby   unaccompanied for 6 months, even without water, Yağmur stated that when breast milk is given with additional food during this time, it prevents the formation of beneficial bacterial flora in the intestine, and the rate of absorption of nutrients in the breast milk decreases. Yağmur also stated that, breast milk starts to be inadequate for the baby at the sixth month and therefore additional nutrients should be given in addition to breast milk after the 6^th month.

Yağmur stated that, “A sufficient amount of milk secretion depends on the adequate and balanced diet of the woman giving milk. In the nutrition of breast feeding mother, it is aimed to provide all the energy and nutrients necessary for the secretion of milk with the necessary nutrient for the woman’s own physiological needs” and added some nutrient that the mother eats can disturb the baby and listed these nutrients as sulfur-containing foods such as cabbage, cauliflower, radishes, onions, leeks and legumes. Yağmur finally added that mothers who are breast feeding must not consume alcohol, cigarettes or medicines.