Breastfeeding - Giant step towards a healthy nation

Research has proved that exclusively breastfed babies turn out to be healthier and more intelligent. In view of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1 to 7) Associate Professor in Paediatrics and Head of the Department of Paediatrics at Sri Jayawardenepura University Prof. Dulani Gunasekera outlines the advantages, misconceptions and problems associated with breastfeeding

Breast milk is extremely important to a new-born in becoming a physically and emotionally healthy individual later in life. It protects infants from infections, boosts immunity while providing the best nutrition required. Therefore, raising awareness is vital to promote breastfeeding and improving health at large, Prof. Gunasekera said.

Advantages:

There are several advantages of breastfeeding.

1. Breast milk is the best nutrition for the baby. It contains all the nutrients that promote growth. The composition of the breast milk is ideal as all nutrients are in ideal composition to suit the requirement of a baby. The composition could differ from person to person, but each mother produces milk that is best suited for her baby. For instance, a pre-term baby’s nutritional requirement differs from that of a baby born at term. So the composition of human milk will naturally be adjusted accordingly.

2. Tailor-made Breast milk is nature’s gift to a baby as it is the naturally available nutrition for human babies. No other formulae can replace the nutritional requirement of an infant as ideally as breast milk does.

3. A living substance Breast milk is not only a wholesome food but also a living substance that helps babies stay healthy in the long term. Apart from main nutrients like carbohydrate, protein, calcium and all vitamins and minerals required for an infant’s growth, breast milk also contains antibodies and other substances that help fight infections, illnesses and boosts immune systems

4. Sterilized Breast milk is a ready-made naturally sterilized food for the baby. Therefore it leaves no room for infections.

5. Economical

It is available free and therefore affordable to any mother.

Recommendations on breastfeeding

There are globally accepted recommendations in breastfeeding.

* Early initiation

If the mother and baby are healthy, breastfeeding should start within half an hour after delivery. Early breastfeeding initiation promotes successful continuation of breastfeeding.

According to research early initiation of breastfeeding helps strengthen mother-baby bonding initially and in the long term.

* The baby should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months from birth.

Exclusive breastfeeding

Breast milk is indispensable for an infant’s growth. File photo

Exclusive breastfeeding means the baby is given only breast milk during the initial six months. No other substance (not even water) is given to the baby during this period.

Research have found that exclusively breast-fed babies’ IQ level is superior to that of artificially-fed babies.

-Introducing solid foods after six months

Breastfeeding should continue after the initial six months up to two years along with solid foods.

Breastfeeding may continue even after two years after the baby is born but it is optional.

UNICEF has introduced global guidelines on breastfeeding to raise awareness on the subject. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is successfully conducted in Sri Lankan hospitals as well. There has been a significant improvement in exclusive breastfeeding in Sri Lanka following this move, Prof. Gunasekera remarked.

Misconceptions in breastfeeding

There are numerous misconceptions or myths that are associated with breastfeeding. Most of these are interrelated with the culture and social set up. Therefore it is quite a difficult task to dismiss these myths at once.

Fortunately, with growing awareness Sri Lanka is gradually shedding these myths, she said.

One such misconception is that only healthy and nutritionally-fit women can breastfeed effectively. This is not true.

Even malnourished mothers can breastfeed as the composition of the breast milk does not change in spite of the mother’s nutritional status.

However, if she does not recover her health her status may further deteriorate.

A balanced diet is essential for the mother but it does not have a direct impact on producing milk as the composition is adjusted according to the requirement of the baby.

The size of the nipple is important - this is another misconception. Make sure that the baby is properly latched onto the areola (the dark area around the nipple) for a proper suckling.

Another myth is the initial milk is harmful to the baby and therefore should be discarded.

The initial flow of breast milk is known as Colostrum and it is yellowish.

This milk is very high in nutritional and immunological value. It is important that the baby gets it.

Other misconceptions such as; bathing before breastfeeding thins the milk flow, male infants need more milk than females and eating certain foods to produce a better flow of milk are some of other popular myths in our culture, the Professor noted.

Current principles in breastfeeding

Without adhering to those misconceptions breastfeeding women can follow certain principles in breastfeeding their babies.

Feed on ‘demand’

Unlike in the past breastfeeding on a timetable (breastfeeding once in every two hours and so on) is no longer accepted. Mothers are advised to breastfeed whenever the baby is crying for milk. There should be no restrictions as to the duration of the feed and the number of feeds per day.

The baby could be breastfed any number of times it demands milk; the duration of a feed depends on the baby’s requirement.

Prof. Dulani Gunasekera MD, FRCP (Lon) Picture by Rukmal Gamage

Problems in breastfeeding

* Cracked nipples

This could arise when the baby’s mouth is latched onto the nipple and not the areola. Do not stop feeding if you have cracked nipples. Again, make sure that the baby is properly latched onto the areola. As a remedy, apply a little breast milk on the nipple.

* Breast engorgement

Milk getting collected inside the breasts leads to painful swelling of breasts. This may create an uncomfortable condition for the mother. Get the baby to suckle the milk of the affected breast.

* Lack of milk

This is a common complaint of mothers breastfeeding their first baby. The flow of milk starts gradually. The amount of milk that mother produces is enough for the baby. The best stimulus is to let the baby suckle and when this continues the production and flow of milk will improve. Even during most illnesses a mother can breastfeed. Breastfeeding is an essential foundation towards building a healthy and intelligent future generation in Sri Lanka.