Factors affecting breastfeeding and breastfeeding counselling

Abstract

Breast milk is the most effective nutrient to support newborn's growing. Besides its positive effects on baby's development and mother's health, breastfeeding is also agreed to be a means of communication among mother, baby and family. In recent years, World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) suggested that babies shoul feed from breast in the first 6 months and they have emphasized that feeding must be completed fully. However, there are factors which prevent starting breastfeeding in early periods and maintaining it. These factors such as failure to breastfeed, type of delivery, condition of newborn and nipple fissures could originate from the mother or the newborn, or there could be other factors such as working life, failure to provide skin contact, drug use, alcohol and tobacco use, sleep, father's role, indifference of health personnel, diabetes, tuberculosis, HIV or breast cancer. In this review, studies regarding the factors that affect the start of successful breastfeeding and its maintenance will be analyzed. The leadership, caretaking and educative acts of the nurses in maintenance and support of breastfeeding will be examined in line with the literature.