Prof. Dr. Aslan: “Breast milk is a source of health”

Prof. Dr. Aslı Aslan from the Department of Pediatrics at IUE Medical Point Hospital made a statement due to the breastfeeding week and said that new mothers should not panic and that breast milk will increase as the baby sucks. Prof. Dr. Aslan said, “Breast milk is not just a food, it is a source of health. Mothers should not panic, milk starts to come as the baby sucks.”

Prof. Dr. Aslı Aslan from the Department of Pediatrics at Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Medical Point Hospital emphasized the importance of breast milk in a statement made on the occasion of August 1-7 Breastfeeding Week. Prof. Dr. Aslan said, “Unlike formula, breast milk is shaped according to the physiology of the child for each child. When a child is born premature, normal, underweight or overweight, the mother's milk also changes. Breast milk is produced specifically for each child. Breast milk is a very important nutrient for growth, organ development and brain development. Breast milk is not only a source of nutrition but also a source of health.”

'Breast milk is like a vaccine'

Stating that the stomach capacity of babies is as small as a cherry when they are first born, Prof. Dr. Aslı Aslan said, “When babies are first born, their stomach capacity is very low. We can say that it is about 3-5 milliliters, about the size of a cherry. At first, there is something called mouth milk. In fact, mouth milk is similar to milk but with a denser content. It starts to come drop by drop. Think of it like a vaccine. Even a drop of it is very precious, it is worth gold. If you think about the baby's stomach and its capacity, even a small amount is enough for the baby to be full. If the mother is well fed, well hydrated and has a good psychology, the milk can be increased by breastfeeding the baby continuously.”

'Milk increases as you breastfeed'

Stating that breast milk will increase as the baby sucks, Prof. Aslan said, “There is a hormone called oxytocin. As the baby sucks, that hormone is secreted and milk starts to come. If the child starts to receive breast milk in a way to ensure adequate nutrition; if the child starts to urinate and defecate, if the blood sugar does not drop, breast milk should be continued. The best indicator of whether breast milk is sufficient or not is whether it provides the weight and weight gain that the child should gain or not. Mothers are also influenced from the outside, they are told things like 'your milk is not enough, your milk is watery'. If it is watery, it is produced for that child, if not, it is still produced for that child.”