Breast milk is the best food for your baby for healthy growth and development. It also has special emotional and biological effects on the mother and the baby. Babies can only be fed with breast milk during their first 4 months. Some mothers also give water in summers fearing from dehydration. But breast milk is enough for the baby and even gives enough water for the baby. Every mother's breast milk is different in accordance with the child's needs. For example the milk of a mother that has given premature birth is different that a mother that has given normal birth.

Mother’s milk protects the baby from infections and has all nutrition that is needed for the growth of the baby. It is also hygienic. It is cheap. Almost all women can breast feed. But there are medical situations that a baby should not be breastfed.

And there are situation that it is not possible to give breast milk. These include:

• Deformed nipples.
• Infected breasts.
• Metabolic deformation of the baby.
• Sickness of mothers (heart, kidney problems, tuberculoses, etc.).

If mothers are emotionally ready for breastfeeding their milk will be enough. Any doubt will only reduce the amount of milk your body produces.

It is very important to make close contact with your baby right after his/her birth. The amount of milk produced can be increased by breastfeeding frequently. After birth breastfeed your baby every time he/she is hungry. This is generally once in every 2 - 3 hours. After your baby is 4 – 6 months old this frequency can be reduced.

It is important to hold the baby right during breastfeeding. When you have given birth you can also ask for assistance from nurses for breastfeeding.

Holding the baby properly will prevent cracks in nipples, reduce gas of the baby and will be more healthy.

Babies should be held 45 degrees. It is important that all the nipple is in the babies mouth. It is not correct if only the edge of the nipple is in babies mouth.

Things to remember during breastfeeding:

• Wash your hands before breastfeeding.

• You can clean your nipple with water before breastfeeding. Do not use carbonated water, soap or similar to clean your nipple.

• You and your baby should be at a comfortable position. Lean your back to a wall, couch, etc.

• Your babies face and body should look to your body. Your baby's head should be at the inner part of your arm, and you should hold his/her legs with the hand at the same side. This will enable eye contact with your baby.

• Hold your breast with your hand. Do not touch the brown part of your nipple.

• Touch your baby’s lips with your finger of use your nipple to touch it. Place your nipple and the brown part around it to your baby’s mouth when he/she opens his/her mouth.

• Feed your baby until your baby stops eating.

• Breastfeeding at night can prevent breast milk from lessening and also discomfort caused by increasing milk in the breast. Breastfeeding will also prevent your baby from getting very hungry.

• Babies can eat for varying periods, this can be only 5 – 10 minutes or half an hour. Feed from each breast during a single time. Start from the last breast you have fed to your baby next time.

• During monthly examinations if gained weight is enough your breast milk is enough for your baby.

• To prevent your baby from vacuuming your nipple place your finger in your baby’s mouth and then pull your nipple.

• Help your baby to burp after each feeding. To help your baby burping hold your baby and place his/her face on your shoulder and pat his/her back. If you put a small cloth on your shoulder you can prevent your clothes from getting dirty from small amounts of milk that your baby might come out of your baby’s mouth.

Working mothers can milk themselves to prevent their milk from reducing. Breast milk can last for 8 hours at room temperature and 2 days in refrigerators. But if a baby starts eating milk that has been stored this should be finished in half an hour.

Mothers should not cease breastfeeding even if there are cracks at the nipple. After your baby has eaten put a little milk on your nipple. If the pain is unbearable, milk yourself for a few days and feed your baby with a spoon.

There are important issues that mother should be aware of during breastfeeding period. One of the most important issues is that mothers should not smoke during breastfeeding. Smoking even in different rooms in housed where babies live is bad for your babies health. There may be some losses at the mothers body during pregnancy and birth. To regain health, mothers should give importance to their nutrition.

Some of the important issues to remember concerning nutrition:

• Mothers that breastfeed should drink 2 glasses of milk every day and eat yoghurt, cheese or similar food.

• Mother should eat cereals, meat, chicken, eggs, fish, etc. everyday to get enough energy and nutrition.

• Mothers should also eat enough fruits and vegetables.

• According to instructions of their doctors they should also get vitamin and mineral medication.

What to do when it is not possible to breastfeed?

Always remember that babies cannot drink cow’s milk. It is a generally accepted fact in the world by scientists that cow’s milk is not good for babies.