The United Nations, as part of its annual campaign to increase breastfeeding rates, is calling for more support for women to breastfeed in the workplace. Compared to children who are exclusively breastfed, children who are not breastfed are 14 times more likely to die before their first birthday, the organization says.
The United Nations is calling for mothers to be given paid maternity leave, breaks for breastfeeding, and a special room in the workplace where they can breastfeed.
There are many narratives and concepts about breastfeeding that still exist in society, which can tempt women not to breastfeed. We asked two experts to clarify some of these concepts.
Cathriona Waite is Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and Global Health at the University of Liverpool and Research Fellow at Mackayre University of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda. Alastaira Sutcliffe is Professor of Pediatrics at University College London.
They explained to us seven concepts that seem to be common in society.
1. Breastfeeding pains
Prof. Waite: This is a little difficult to answer because it's normal to feel discomfort at first, and it's normal for nipples to hurt at first before you get used to [breastfeeding]. However, breastfeeding does not have to be accompanied by pain or cause severe pain. [If you feel that way] it means that the nipples are infected or the baby is not sucking properly.
It's normal to feel discomfort [while breastfeeding], and breastfeeding takes some getting used to, especially for breastfeeding mothers. But if it causes pain, you should let your doctor, nurse or family health officer know about it.
2. If breastfeeding is not started immediately, it may not be possible to breastfeed later
Professor Sutcliffe: Anything that encourages mothers to breastfeed is good for human health on many levels.
But there are many benefits of starting to breastfeed the baby immediately after giving birth.
The most obvious benefit is nutrition. Through that, the uterine process also begins. This helps prevent or slow down uterine bleeding after delivery. Also, in the first few days after giving birth, the human body produces something called 'colostrum', which contains many and unique proteins. It is very important nutrition in the early days of breastfeeding.
3. You cannot use any medicine while breastfeeding
Professor Waite: This is the first question a mother asks anywhere in the world. 'Is there a safe medicine for my child'? In fact, most drugs are given to infants in very low doses. If the doctor says you need to take medicine, ask them your question. But the drug is probably safe to use. A healthy mother is what a child needs most. Common medications for infections, fatigue and general pain are often safe. Medicines you need to be careful with are usually cough, cold and nasal medicines - they can reduce the flow of milk. Also, always be careful with herbal medicines, because we don't know what is in them.
4. Before breastfeeding, eat food with little or no spices
Prof. Call them: There are no foods that should not be eaten while breastfeeding. however, the production of breast milk is affected by your diet. Sometimes, a woman can observe for example - I saw this from one of my children - if I ever drink an orange drink like orange juice, [after drinking breast milk] my child would have something. Sometimes it has to be harmful or unhealthy, something you should avoid.
5. If you want to breastfeed, you should not mix the baby with other milk
Professor Waite: There is no absolute truth to this. However, the availability of breast milk largely depends on the production and demand. A woman's body is wonderfully designed to produce enough milk for her baby. When the baby sucks on the nipple, hormones are stimulated and the right amount of milk is produced. Therefore, whether you are breastfeeding a toddler, an older child or twins, your body will produce enough milk.
If you start feeding your baby breast milk, this supply-demand cycle is disrupted. Then your body does not get enough signals that the baby needs more milk. If you start giving other milk to your baby (formula) because your milk is low, it may give you short-term relief, but your problems may start to get worse.
But on the other hand, if you have a bad night, maybe you are sick, or you are very tired, because the baby drinks other milk, it does not mean that you will not be able to breastfeed again. So, it may not be an emphasis, but it may not be an advantage
6. Avoid breastfeeding if you are sick
Professor Sutcliffe: No, it's a lie. The only time a woman should avoid breastfeeding is if she has HIV or hepatitis. The virus can be transmitted through breast milk. We have experienced this unfortunate situation in the past.
In most cases, it is safe to continue breastfeeding even if the mother is sick, because the antibodies produced by the mother's body protect her baby. It is very rare that the child's disease is transmitted from the mother through breast milk.
7. If you breastfeed a child for more than one year, it becomes difficult for the child to suck
Professor Waite: The World Health Organization's recommendation is that you should breastfeed exclusively for six months. Even after that, even if other methods of nutrition (food) are introduced, the organization recommends that you continue to breastfeed the child for as long as you need. There is no recommended time for you to stop doing it.
In some high-income countries such as the UK, most children are fully weaned between the ages of one and two. Meanwhile, in low-income countries like Uganda, children are breastfed until they reach the age of two or three. The international problem here is that according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, mothers in many countries are not given maternity leave for enough time to be able to breastfeed the child.
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