Breastfeeding can be quite challenging, especially for those new moms out there. In the Philippines, the result of the 2019 ENNS of DOST-FNRI showed that early breastfeeding initiation is at 74% and exclusive breastfeeding is at 57.9%. However, the rate of breastfeeding exclusively until 5.9 months was low at 35.9%, recording an average of 4.4 months duration. Many infants receive some breast milk but not all continue to breastfeed for up to 6 months. But, why do mothers stop breastfeeding early? Some factors influence how long a mother breastfeeds her baby. These include issues with lactation and latching, infant nutrition and weight concerns, mothers’ concerns about taking medications while breastfeeding, unsupportive work policies and lack of parental leave, cultural norms and lack of family support, and unsupportive hospital practices and policies.
Breastmilk is the safest and healthiest food for your baby. It provides all the nutrition your baby needs for the first six months. Breastfeeding will help reduce your baby’s risk of obesity, diarrhea, gastrointestinal illnesses, and non-communicable diseases. It also protects infants against allergies, sicknesses, and infections. The World Health Organization recommended that mothers should exclusively breastfeed for 6 months with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods for up to 2 years of age or older.
While breastfeeding offers numerous benefits, it also presents many challenges. Breastfeeding can be challenging, especially in the first few days and weeks. Common breastfeeding challenges include sore nipples, low milk supply, engorgement, plugged duct, fungal infection, nursing strike, breast and nipple size and shape, feeling like you can’t leave your baby, and postpartum depression. Persistent nipple pain, perceptions of low milk supply, difficulty with infant latch, and incorrect advice about medications and lactation can lead to undesired early weaning. One of the most common complications associated with breastfeeding is mastitis. Women with a history of oversupply, nipple injury, latch difficulties, or skipped feedings may be at risk for mastitis. Late recognition and treatment may lead to complications, such as breast abscess, sepsis, and early weaning. Breast abscesses, if left untreated can result in maternal sepsis. Despite the challenges, breastfeeding should be encouraged in women to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding to address malnutrition problems in our country.
ZDN DMO II Rowence F. Zorilla, RND
References:
1. Importance of Breastfeeding
https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/articles/importance-breastfeeding
2. Why is Breastfeeding Important for your Baby?
https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/breastfeeding/importance.htm#:~:text=Breast%20milk%20helps%20keep%20your%20baby%20healthy.&text=It%20protects%20against%20allergies%2C%20sickness,constipation%2C%20diarrhea%20or%20upset%20stomach.
3. Common Breastfeeding Challenges
https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/common-breastfeeding-challenges
4. Breastfeeding Challenges
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2021/02/breastfeeding-challenges
5. Expanded National Nutrition Survey: 2019 Results Nutritional Status of Filipino Infants and Young Children (0-23 months)
http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/uploads/2019%20ENNS%20Results%20Dissemination_Nutritional%20Status%20and%20Feeding%20%20Practices%20of%20Children%20Under%202.pdf
6. Breastfeeding Facts-CDC
