Investigation of Breastfeeding Protection Against Infant Infections and Childhood Diseases

Objective: It is widely accepted that breastfeeding (AS) is superior to other forms of nutrition in the first six months of life. Breastmilk contains nutrient items in appropriate quantities and a high bioavailability according to the needs of each baby. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that babies take AS alone and then continue to feed on AS with up to two years of age, with appropriate supplementary nutrition, during the first six months of life.

Even in the hottest climates, breastfeeding babies have been shown to have no additional nutrient or fluid requirements for the first six months, including water. In the first 6 months of breastfeeding with breast milk alone (YAS), the incidence of many diseases, especially infectious diseases, decreases and the brain development is better.

Despite its numerous benefits, mother milk is not utilized in our country sufficiently. According to the Turkish Demographic and Health Survey (TNSA), the rate of breastfeeding in Turkey was 91.8% in Turkey, while the proportion of babies fed only breast milk in the first 6 months was 30.1%.

Infants related deaths, otitis media, lower respiratory tract infections, gastroenteritis, obesity were more common in children who were fed formula milk compared to children who were fed breast milk during the first year of life. Obesity can reduce insulin resistance and hypertension risks later in life.

According to the research done by Kramer and his colleagues on 13889 children, no effect of breastfeeding on physical development, obesity and hypertension was found.

In this study, whether breast feeding was associated with otitis media in the first year, lower respiratory tract infection, gastroenteritis; in the first 5 years of age, obesity and hypertension.