Review Article

Breastfeeding during life-threatening crises

Yaşamsal Krizlerde Emzirme

Yaşamsal krizlerde emzirme

Yaşamsal Krizlerde Emzirme

Authors

https://doi.org/10.64684/jicah.127

Aim: The aim of this review is to examine the effects of various life crises on the breastfeeding and lactation process, the challenges encountered, and the supportive approaches that can be implemented in such situations, in light of the existing literature.

Method: As part of this review, publications concerning life crises and breastfeeding were examined across the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. The findings from the literature were synthesized under nine thematic areas: sexual abuse, domestic violence, institutional care, divorce and single parenthood, incarceration, cancer and surgical interventions, vegetative state, infant loss, and adoption.

Results: It has been observed that life crises can influence the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding through physical, psychological, social, and institutional mechanisms. While sexual abuse and domestic violence can trigger traumatic experiences during breastfeeding, appropriate support can contribute to the continuation of breastfeeding for some women. Social, logistical, and institutional barriers are prominent in situations involving institutional care, single parenthood, and incarceration. In cases of cancer and surgical interventions, the decision regarding breastfeeding must be evaluated based on the administered treatment and the mother's clinical status. While lactation management in cases of persistent vegetative state and infant loss involves unique issues encompassing clinical, ethical, and individual preferences, induced lactation emerges as an option for initiating breastfeeding in adoption scenarios.

Conclusion: In life-threatening crises, breastfeeding and lactation management should be individualized according to the safety of the mother and baby, clinical needs, and the mother's preferences. It is important for healthcare professionals to provide evidence-based, trauma-sensitive, non-judgmental, and multidisciplinary care.

Amaç: Bu derlemenin amacı, farklı yaşamsal krizlerin emzirme ve laktasyon süreci üzerindeki etkilerini, karşılaşılan güçlükleri ve bu durumlarda uygulanabilecek destekleyici yaklaşımları mevcut literatür doğrultusunda incelemektir.

Yöntem: Derleme kapsamında PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science ve Google Scholar veri tabanlarında yaşamsal krizler ve emzirme ile ilişkili yayınlar incelenmiştir. Literatür; cinsel istismar, aile içi şiddet, kurumsal bakım, boşanma ve tek ebeveynlik, mahkûmiyet, kanser ve cerrahi girişimler, vejetatif durum, bebek kaybı ve evlat edinme olmak üzere dokuz farklı durum kapsamında değerlendirilmiştir.

Bulgular: Yaşamsal krizlerin emzirmenin başlatılması ve sürdürülmesini fiziksel, psikolojik, sosyal ve kurumsal mekanizmalar üzerinden etkileyebildiği görülmüştür. Cinsel istismar ve aile içi şiddet emzirme sırasında travmatik deneyimleri tetikleyebilirken, uygun destek bazı kadınlarda emzirmenin sürdürülmesine katkı sağlayabilmektedir. Kurumsal bakım, tek ebeveynlik ve mahkûmiyet durumlarında sosyal, lojistik ve kurumsal engeller öne çıkmaktadır. Kanser ve cerrahi girişimlerde emzirme kararı uygulanan tedavi ve maternal klinik duruma göre değerlendirilmelidir. Vejetatif durumdaki kadınlarda laktasyon yönetimi sınırlı kanıtlar ve etik sorunlar içerirken, bebek kaybı sonrasında laktasyonun sürdürülmesi, süt bağışı veya baskılanması bireysel tercihler doğrultusunda ele alınmalıdır. Evlat edinmede ise indükte laktasyon emzirmenin sağlanmasına yönelik bir seçenek olabilmektedir.

Sonuç: Yaşamsal krizlerde emzirme ve laktasyon yönetimi, anne ve bebeğin güvenliği, klinik gereksinimleri ve annenin tercihleri doğrultusunda bireyselleştirilmelidir. Sağlık profesyonellerinin kanıta dayalı, travma konusunda duyarlı, yargılayıcı olmayan ve multidisipliner bakım sunması önem taşımaktadır.

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Aksoy Derya, Y., & Atabey Kılıç , K. (2026). Breastfeeding during life-threatening crises: Yaşamsal Krizlerde Emzirme. Journal of Infant, Child and Adolescent Health, 6(2), 126-142. https://doi.org/10.64684/jicah.127

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Article Information

  • Article Type Review Article
  • Submitted August 22, 2025
  • Accepted August 12, 2026
  • Published August 30, 2026
  • Issue Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026)
  • Section Review Article
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