Some Cultural Transfers that Prevent Breastfeeding Behavior
Chapter from the book: Karakurt, P. & Fırat, M. (eds.) 2023. Health Sciences Research: Nursing & Midwifery- IV.

Ayla Güllü
Hatay Mustafa Kemal University
Nihal Aloğlu
Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University

Synopsis

One of the most valuable elements of countries is undoubtedly the human factor. Breast milk has a very important role in this factor in being physically, mentally and spiritually healthy from birth. It is strongly recommended by the World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund  to start breast milk, which is a miraculous source of nutrition, immediately after birth, to be given as the only nutrient for the first 6 months of life, and then to be supported with appropriate complementary foods until the age of two. However, the targeted and desired results in this direction have not yet been fully achieved. Despite the proven risks of not breastfeeding and the benefits of breastfeeding, the rate at which women start and continue breastfe-eding on time remains relatively low in many countries. Behaviors and attitudes towards breastfee-ding vary both between countries and within countries themselves. Breastfeeding behavior is also affected by cultural transfer and cultural knowledge. One of the biggest obstacles between babies and breast milk, which will constitute the human capital of a country, may be the myths within the co-untry's own cultural structure. Myth: It is an allegorical folk narrative that is not based on a scientific basis, spread traditionally or is shaped by the imagination of society. In different cultures, infant feeding has been the object and subject of various social and symbolic relations. As a matter of fact, most food practices during breastfeeding have been associated with the existence of these myths and information. Considering the various beliefs underlying the behaviors associated with initiating and continuing breastfeeding will be important in guiding interventions identified to increase the effectiveness of breastfeeding. For this reason, it is important to know and learn about the cultures of societies, as well as the myths that have come to life and persist in these cultures. In this context, in this study, cultural beliefs and myths, which are among the factors that affect mothers' breastfeeding behaviors, are mentioned.

How to cite this book

Güllü, A. & Aloğlu, N. (2023). Some Cultural Transfers that Prevent Breastfeeding Behavior. In: Karakurt, P. & Fırat, M. (eds.), Health Sciences Research: Nursing & Midwifery- IV. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub385.c1621

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Published

December 29, 2023

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