At Medical Point Hospital, we hold the "Baby-Friendly Hospital" title, established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. In our hospital, we contribute to the health of future generations by providing education on the importance of breastfeeding and breast milk during pregnancy in our antenatal classes, fostering informed and aware parents. We also support the sustainability of this process by providing detailed postpartum breastfeeding education.

Our goal is to ensure newborn babies get a healthy start in life and to emphasize the importance of breastfeeding. To this end, we support mothers and babies every step of the way, working to make the breastfeeding process successful and enjoyable.

Breast milk is a vital source of nutrition for babies, providing all the nutrients they need for the first six months and crucial for their growth and development. Breastfeeding offers significant benefits not only to the health of babies but also to the health of mothers. At Medical Point Hospital, we are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding and support all new mothers by providing them with accurate information. We offer training and distribute brochures on postpartum diet and psychological well-being. We ensure that mothers can easily reach us 24/7.

TEN-STEP BREASTFEEDING PROGRAM

Our hospital, as part of its "Baby-Friendly Hospital" designation, implements the "Ten Steps to Breastfeeding" program, established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, to promote breastfeeding. This program aims to ensure that every baby is exclusively breastfed for the first six months and to expand breastfeeding practices.

In this context, we regularly update our written breastfeeding policy, which we created to ensure all healthcare professionals in our hospital are informed. We continuously organize new and up-to-date training sessions for our employees to ensure they have the necessary knowledge and skills regarding breastfeeding. During pregnancy, we inform expectant mothers about the benefits and correct methods of breastfeeding.

We initiate breastfeeding by placing newborns in skin-to-skin contact with their mothers within the first half hour after birth, and we provide mothers with all the necessary support for any challenges they may face during this process. In our hospital, unless medically necessary, newborns are not given any food other than breast milk (formula, water, sugary water, etc.); we encourage mother-baby bonding and ensure they stay together 24 hours a day. We support breastfeeding whenever babies need it, without a fixed schedule. Furthermore, since the use of pacifiers or bottles can negatively affect babies' sucking reflexes, we work to avoid their use.

We guide mothers through the postpartum period by referring them to community-based breastfeeding support groups to help them continue breastfeeding and receive support during any challenges they may face. Our goal is to contribute to the growth of babies with breast milk, the healthiest food source, and to provide mothers with the highest level of support during this important process.