'Breastfeeding is a mother's gift to herself, her baby and the world,' Dr Swatilekha Karmakar reminds people about Pamela Wiggins' quote

The first week of August is celebrated as ‘World breastfeeding week’ to encourage breastfeeding and thus improve the health of babies, our next generation.

Breastfeeding is a boon for both the mother and the baby and also helps to build a bond between the two. A newborn should be fed only breast milk until six months of age known as exclusive breastfeeding, and thereafter breastfeeding should be continued till two years or beyond along with other nutritious food.

Mother’s milk contains all the essential nutrients required for the baby, in adequate quantities, in correct proportion, and in an easily digestible form. It helps in optimum growth and development of the baby’s body and mind. The protein in breast milk is easily digested; iron and calcium are absorbed in greater quantities. Breast milk is also rich in antibodies that build the immune system of a newborn and helps to fight infection and diseases better. Ear infection, diarrhea, and stomach flu, pneumonia or chest infection are less common in babies on mother’s milk. They are also protected from childhood leukemia and diseases of adulthood such as obesity, diabetes, and asthma.

For the mother, feeding her baby helps her to lose the extra weight gained during pregnancy. The uterus contracts well and the bleeding after delivery ceases earlier. It also provides some protection against developing breast and ovarian cancers.

Guidance and a good support system are required for initiation and sustenance of breastfeeding especially for first-time mothers. It is important to educate her regarding the benefits of breastfeeding, solve her queries, and allay her fears. The birth of a baby is overwhelming as well as exhausting for a mother. She needs to be helped and guided to feed the baby correctly in a proper position. Her treating doctor, nurses, experienced females in her family can play an important part in achieving this goal.

Some facts regarding breastfeeding need to be known. Feeding should be initiated within an hour after birth. For the first two to three days a yellow fluid is secreted also known as colostrum. It should be fed to the baby as it is rich in nutrients and antibodies. Colostrum is sufficient for the baby for the first few days, it’s only after four or five days that proper milk flow is started. The baby should be put to the breast every two hours. The more the baby suckles, the more milk will be produced.

Due to misconception and anxiety, most new mothers and caregivers perceive that mother’s milk is not adequate and replace or supplement the mother’s milk with formula or cow milk. When a bottle or spoon-feeding with milk of different taste is given, the baby may be confused, known as nipple confusion, and may not suck mother’s milk. The baby may prefer a bottle or spoon feeding as it is easier for the baby. The baby has to suck harder to remove milk from the mother’s breast. Also, the baby will not be keen to suck from the breast if the stomach is full, which is likely as cow milk or formula are heavier and takes time for digestion. And eventually, the mother’s milk production will decline. It is to be noted that it is normal for a newborn baby to lose weight for the first 7days; after that, a well-fed baby gains weight steadily. A well-fed baby passes urine frequently and sleeps after a feed; however, a crying baby doesn’t necessarily mean a hungry baby. A baby may cry for attention, for feeling hot, due to a soiled diaper and many other reasons.

Supplementation with formula milk shouldn’t be started without the advice of a doctor and animal milk shouldn’t be offered to a baby before the first birthday. There may be certain medical conditions in which the mother may not be able to lactate properly or may not lactate at all. In such cases, the baby should be fed formula milk prepared hygienically and under the guidance of a doctor or a lactation consultant.

The support and helping hand of family members are of utmost importance for the sustenance of breastfeeding until six months. A mother who has given birth recently needs a good diet, rest, and privacy for feeding her newborn. She should drink plenty of water and juices to keep hydrated and include whole grains, leafy vegetables, eggs, fish, and meat in her diet.

It is commendable, that in India, working women are entitled to avail paid maternity leave of six months. This boosts the number of working mothers who breastfeed their babies for longer periods of time. The women, who need to join back work after delivery early, can practice expressed feeding. Breast milk can be removed using breast pumps and can be stored in a refrigerator for long periods and fed with a spoon. We need to build our surroundings and our community in such a way that it is friendly for breastfeeding mothers.

During this difficult pandemic time, more and more women are inclined to give formula to their babies. This should be discouraged. All mothers, even those confirmed or suspected to be Covid positive should be encouraged to breastfeed. The use of masks and handwashing and hygiene should be maintained while handling the newborn. The antibodies from mother’s milk actually help the baby to recover if infected.

Motherhood and entering the world of breastfeeding is phenomenal for all women. Ignorance about understanding mechanisms of the human body makes few mothers give up, thinking that their milk is not sufficient for the baby and very few may be convinced by the convenience of giving formula feed. Let’s educate and support more and more women to breastfeed, and burst the myths and misconceptions regarding the same, such that more and more families enjoy the healthy, nutritional, and emotional benefits of breastfeeding.

The author of this article, Dr Swatilekha Karmakar. MBBS, MS. is a practicing Obstetrician and Gynecologist. An alumnus of Silchar Medical College (MBBS), Karmakar completed her post-graduation in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the University of Delhi. She worked as a senior registrar at Kasturba Hospital for women, Delhi and NEIGRIHMS, Shillong. Karmakar takes interest in writing on topics associated with health and issues pertaining to women to create awareness among the masses.