This review explored strategies to support breastfeeding and
revealed how the international papers compare with the Turkish
situation. The review reflects that even though there are some
differences, the principles remain the same across the world and
there is a great deal of similarities to support breastfeeding. The
review concluded that mothers benefit from strategies that
encourage breastfeeding, with guidance that supports their selfefficacy
and feelings of being capable and empowered, and is
tailored to their individual needs. Governments, hospital and
community management, key persons locally in religious and
educational settings, nurses and midwives themselves should
take actions for policy change. In the case of Turkey, especially in
rural areas and urban low-income settlements, the collaboration
of nurses and midwives with community leaders, such as the
village headman, teachers and local religious leaders, would
facilitate the adoption of appropriate breastfeeding behaviour.
The findings also have policy implications for improving the
staffing levels of midwives. Future policy for countries like
Turkey, in which the responsibility for maternity and womens’
health care except for the delivery rests with nurses, might look at
the extended roles that midwives might undertake. The findings
also have policy implications for better hospital in-service education
for nurses and midwives to support breastfeeding. Additionally,
education providers responsible for nursing and
midwifery education need to address culturally relevant breastfeeding
care, evidence-based breastfeeding research, and offer
skills development in nursing and midwifery curricula.