Özet:

The prevalence of obesity is a major public health problem that shows a serious increase throughout the world. Obesity in pregnancy, as it causes many health problems in both the mother and the baby, also affects the breastfeeding period. Studies have shown that the mother's obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of gestational diabetes and pregnancy, due to complications such as late lactogenesis. Obese mothers begin breastfeeding later due to low self-confidence and confidence problems, psychological problems such as postpartum depression, and tend to have less breastfeeding. It also makes it difficult for mothers to breastfeed their baby because of obesity. Because breastfeeding increases uterus contractions, it reduces the risk of hemorrhage in maternal obesity and prevents anemia. Due to the daily consumption of approximately 500 kcal of energy for breastfeeding, the metabolic rate of the breastfeeding mother increases and breastfeeding and maternal weight retention are prevented. Breastfeeding also prevents the formation of macrosamic baby hypoglycemia, a complication of maternal obesity.  As a result, maternal obesity affects breastfeeding, while breastfeeding prevents maternal obesity. Therefore, obesity in women in fertility age should be prevented, overweight should be directed to the dietist by mothers, doctors or nurses who begin pregnancy with overweight or gain overweight over the recommended during pregnancy. Because early and frequent breastfeeding is causing lactogenesis, maternal obese mothers must be encouraged to breastfeed by breastfeeding nurses before departure. Keywords: breastfeeding; lactogenesis; maternal obesity.   The Effect of Maternal Obesity on Breast-feeding Obesity is a significant public health problem the prevalence of which shows a significant increase all around the world. Obesity in pregnancy not only causes many health problems for mother and baby but also affects breast-feeding period negatively. In the studies conducted, it is stated that the mother's obesity in the pregnancy period increases the risk of gestational diabetes and cesarean delivery; and lactogenesis delayed because of such complications. Obese mothers start breastfeeding later and have less tendency to breastfeed due to psychological problems such as the lack of self-esteem and confidence, and postpartum depression. Moreover, that obese mothers have big breasts due to obesity makes breastfeeding of the baby more difficult. Since breastfeeding increases uterus contractions, it reduces the risk of hemorrhage in the maternal obese and prevents anemia. Depending on approximately 500 kcal daily energy consumption for breastfeeding, the metabolic rate of breastfeeding mothers increases and maternal weight retention is prevented with breastfeeding. Breast-feedingalso prevents the formation of hypoglycemia in the baby with macrosomy, which is a complication of maternal obesity. Consequently, maternal obesity affects breastfeeding and breastfeeding prevents maternal obesity. Therefore, obesity must be prevented in women in the reproductive age group; mothers starting pregnancy with overweight or gaining more weightin the pregnancy period than suggested must be directed to a dietitian by doctors or nurses. Since early and frequent breastfeeding stimulates lactogenesis, maternal obese mothers must be encouraged for breastfeeding by nursesbefore their discharge from the hospital. Key words: Breastfeeding, Lactogenesis, Maternal obesity