22 August 2019, Cagayan de Oro City - The nation celebrates Breastfeeding Awareness Month this August. This advocates pregnant and lactating women to breastfeed their infants exclusively from zero to six months old (0-6 months old) and continue breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary food up to two (2) years of age or beyond.
Practicing and understanding breastfeeding benefits not only the infant but as well as the mother as early initiation of breastmilk and exclusive breastfeeding are keys to reducing childhood morbidity and mortality. Mother’s milk contains the complete nutrients, immunity-boosting antibodies and healthy enzymes that protect the baby from illnesses. Also, it causes less stomach upset, diarrhea, and constipation than formula milk. Most importantly, it creates bonding relationship between mother and child.
Making the decision to breastfeed is a personal matter. However, there are existing misconceptions and beliefs that hinder mothers from breastfeeding their infants. Since breastfeeding is the best way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
Common misconceptions are as follows:
MYTH: It is necessary to separate mother and infant to let the mother rest after birth.
FACT: Newborns should be directly in contact with the mother, it creates attachment between that baby and mother. After labor it is important to have skin-to-skin contact immediately and is encouraged in the healthcare facility. One of the components of DOH’s Unang Yakap Campaign is early skin-to-skin contact. It transfers bacteria from the mother to infant which is good for immunity. Frequent skin-to-skin contact and putting the baby to the breast helps to get breastfeeding going. A baby’s reflexes are very strong at that time and they are ready to feed at the breast.
MYTH: It is normal to feel pain during breastfeeding.
FACT: It should never hurt, and that discomfort should never last more than days. There must be something wrong with positioning of the baby during breastfeeding which means poor latching of the infant, and make sure the baby is correctly attached to the breast.
MYTH: Lactating mothers should eat bland foods only while breastfeeding. This misconception derives from the thought that spicy and strong flavored foods will transfer through breastmilk and upset the infant.
FACT: Mothers can eat whatever they want while breastfeeding. Studies shown that babies who are exposed to various flavors during gestation period and nursing are more prefer to like the flavor when they grow up. Thus, it is more encouraged to eat variety of food to avoid child being a picky eater.
MYTH: Breastfeeding should be stopped if the mother is sick.
FACT: Keep on breastfeeding. Breast milk gives the baby the best protection against illnesses because it contains protective antibodies which helps the baby’s developing immune system fight off infection and illness. It is still important to wash hands, avoid coughing and sneezing near the infant.
MYTH: Upon breastfeeding, mothers wash the nipples before breastfeeding.
FACT: It is not necessary to wash nipples before feeding the infant. Simply rinse with warm water to help sensitive skin from cracking. The nipples produce a substance that the baby smells and has “good bacteria” that helps to build babies’ own healthy immune system.
MYTH: Most mothers fear of not being able to breastfeed their infants because of having small size of breast that no milk will be secreted.
FACT: Breast size is irrelevant; it can produce milk when needed already. The breast is likely to grow larger before and during breastfeeding journey. A mother with small breasts produces milk supply as much as mother with large breasts. The amount of milk produce usually depends on how much the mom breastfeeds her infant- the more they feed, the more milk it naturally produce.
Breastfeeding benefits both the mother and child and it is essential that there is a friendly environment that encourages the mother to provide her infant breast milk. No misconception should stop a mother in giving her child the best of nutrition through proper breastfeeding. (NDDP Angelique Jean Maggay)
