The first National Breastfeeding Symposium held at Üsküdar University

Üsküdar University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery, in collaboration with the “First Touch to the Miracle Club” under the Department of Health, Culture, and Sports (HCS), organized the 1st National Breastfeeding Symposium as part of World Breastfeeding Week on October 1.

Held under the theme “Midwifery Support for Breastfeeding: A Safe Investment in the Future,” the symposium brought together many experts in the field. The event emphasized that breastfeeding is not merely a form of nourishment but one of the most valuable investments for raising healthy generations.

The symposium took place at the İbn-i Sina Auditorium on Üsküdar University’s NP Health Campus. Participants included Vice Rector Prof. Hikmet Koçak, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Assoc. Prof. Tuğba Yılmaz Esencan (Vice Head of the Midwifery Department), Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım, Asst. Prof. Günay Arslan, Asst. Prof. Arzu Akdemir, Asst. Prof. Burcu Fırat, Instructor Didem Kurap Öcebe, Instructor Meryem Koçaslan Toran, Midwifery Specialist Pınar Mallı, as well as other academics and students.

Prof. Hikmet Koçak: “A mother’s embrace is the first place of love and trust”

In his opening speech, Prof. Hikmet Koçak emphasized the divine order in human creation and the importance of motherhood.

He said, “Unlike other living beings, human babies depend on their mothers for a long time after birth. A mother’s embrace is the first place where a child experiences both love and trust. Breastfeeding is not merely a physical act of feeding but a safe investment in a child’s future.”

He also noted that the contact between mother and child creates not only a physical bond but also a deep emotional connection. “That first touch is a miracle. It triggers happiness hormones and strengthens feelings of love and security,” he added.

Prof. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin: “Breastfeeding is an investment in the future”

Prof. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, delivered a presentation titled “The Critical Role of Breastfeeding in Maternal and Infant Health.” He stated, “Breastfeeding should not be limited to the first six months. The World Health Organization recommends continuing breastfeeding for up to 24 months. This process is not only about nutrition but also about investing in a child’s future.”
Ertekin emphasized that breastfeeding offers physical and psychological benefits for both mother and child and plays a vital role in raising healthy, self-confident individuals.

Presentations on breastfeeding practices

Assoc. Prof. Tuğba Yılmaz Esencan, in her presentation “Strengthening Breastfeeding Support in the Health System: An Investment for the Future,” highlighted the role of midwives and the importance of structured breastfeeding support within healthcare systems.

Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım, in her talk “Breastfeeding for a Healthier Future in Society,” discussed the impact of breastfeeding on both individual and community health.

Midwifery Specialist Pınar Mallı, in her presentation “Strengthening and Sustaining Breastfeeding through Midwifery Support,” focused on how midwives help strengthen the mother-baby bond.

Asst. Prof. Arzu Akdemir, in her session “The Mother’s Journey in Breastfeeding: A Mindfulness-Based Approach,” emphasized the importance of mindfulness in the breastfeeding process.

Asst. Prof. Günay Arslan, in her presentation “Continuity of Breastfeeding and Its Protective Role in Child Health,” drew attention to the long-term health benefits of breastfeeding.

The symposium concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation, marking a meaningful step toward promoting awareness and professional collaboration in maternal and infant health.