The program was attended by Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Hakan Alkan, Deputy Chief Physician Associate Professor Dr. Gürbüz Akçay, Chief Hospital Manager Dr. Murat Taşer, faculty member of the Department of Pediatrics Prof. Dr. Selda Ayça Altıncık, Director of Nursing Services Demet Ekici, deputy directors, nurses, midwives, and numerous healthcare professionals.

Held in line with this year’s main theme of World Breastfeeding Week, “Sustainable Breastfeeding,” the program emphasized that, in addition to being the ideal source of nutrition for babies, breast milk is also one of the most important elements of a natural, economical, environmentally friendly, and sustainable way of life.

As part of the event, specialist nurses first addressed the theme of “Sustainable Breastfeeding” and shared four key slogans prepared for the occasion with the participants. The slogans highlighted the immune-boosting properties of breast milk, its environmentally friendly and zero-waste nature, its economic value, and its indispensable role in building healthy societies.

Speaking at the program, Director of Nursing Services Demet Ekici stated that breast milk is the strongest bond that builds love and trust between mother and baby. Addressing the importance of breastfeeding from the perspectives of a mother, nurse, and administrator, Ekici noted that the healthcare teams working in all clinics are always there for mothers with their knowledge and experience, and said, “The proper guidance and support provided by our healthcare professionals are critically important for the sustainability of breastfeeding. Supporting breast milk means building not only today but also our future.”

Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Hakan Alkan stated that breast milk is a miraculous source of nutrition for babies and emphasized that breastfeeding has an indispensable role in protecting maternal and infant health. Highlighting that the process is carried out through strong teamwork, Alkan thanked all healthcare professionals and administrators who work with dedication to ensure sustainable breastfeeding.

As part of the event, an informative video on “Sustainable Breastfeeding,” supported by sign language and prepared for mothers with hearing impairments in collaboration with PAU Hospital Breastfeeding and Relactation Nurses Sunay Keyikci and Gülay Öncel and Obstetrics and Gynecology Nurse Fatma Coşkun, was shared with participants for the first time. The initiative aims to strengthen accessibility in healthcare services and ensure that all mothers have equal access to accurate information about breastfeeding.

Informational magnets titled “Breast Milk Storage Conditions,” prepared to provide guidance on the safe storage of breast milk, were also introduced during the program. The magnets will be made available to mothers in the Obstetrics and Gynecology and Child Health clinics, with the aim of providing mothers with lasting educational material that they can consult at any time for information on the proper storage of breast milk.

As part of the program, healthcare professionals were provided with information about breastfeeding and presented with nursing covers and educational materials. At the end of the program, certificates of appreciation were presented to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Delivery Room, and Recovery Team in recognition of their dedicated contributions to protecting maternal and infant health, supporting breastfeeding, and providing devoted care to mothers.

Following the event, mothers who had given birth at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic were visited. As part of World Breastfeeding Week, the mothers were informed about the importance of breastfeeding and sustainable breastfeeding, and prepared gifts were presented to them.