Mother's milk is the best

In an era where mothers are working and formula milk seems to be a convenient option, the benefits of breastfeeding need to be emphasised and awareness levels need to be raised.

As per statistics, only 44.6 per cent of infants are breast fed within an hour of birth, and only 54.9 per cent are exclusively breast fed for six months in India. In India, the shift to formula milk is within the first three months of life. The World Health Organisation and UNICEF insist that exclusive breastfeeding has to be encouraged by the community and government must initiate comfortable eco-systems so that women can opt for breastfeeding.

Dr Preeti Sharma, consultant pediatrician, answers some common questions and dispels some wrong notions on the issue.

Why is exclusive breastfeeding important in the first six months? How does it impact the growth, immune system and health of the child in the long run?
Breast milk is the perfect combination of all nutrients which are easily digestible. Breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight many infections. Exclusively breastfed babies have less chances of getting ear infections, pneumonia and diarrhea, and in general have much better immunity than babies on formula feeds.

They also have 27-42 per cent reduced risk of allergies like asthma, eczema, atopic dermatitis and their hospitalisation due to indigestion, and problems of colic are very less. Recent research has linked breast feeding to higher IQ scores, reduced risk of obesity, diabetes and also certain cancers. But there is more evidence required to sustain the claim.

Was there exclusive breastfeeding earlier and why is it being on the wane now?
Data over the last 10-12 years shows a marginal increase in exclusive breastfeeding. The numbers in India are not encouraging. One of the most important reasons, is the easy availability of formula milk in the market and lack of support to mother in terms of continuing breastfeeding.

Formula milk temporarily satisfies the baby and the mother but is harmful for the child and a complete generation in the long run.

What is the lack of support to the mother?
There is a wrong perception among many young mothers that their milk is insufficient for the baby. Any crying of the baby is taken as a sign of hunger and under pressure mothers tend to start formula feeds rather easily.

Parents are so uncertain about the baby’s cues and find it more reassuring to give a steady supply of milk as formula rather than try and make the efforts for breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding definitely requires patience and efforts in the first few days, which is the time when most young mothers are found to give up.

What are the myths which are being seen in young mothers?  
To breastfeed, a mother has to take a good intake of calories and proteins. But most of them are very conscious of their weight and do not want to gain it.

What they fail to understand is that weight will be lost when they are going to exclusively breast feed for six months and later have complimentary and breast milk for a year.

This awareness is very important and must be conveyed in the right manner to the mothers. Working women find that giving bottle or formula milk at least once or twice daily will be good, as when they rejoin work, it would be difficult for them to maintain the timings.

What is the help at the family and community level required for young mothers?
Dissemination of knowledge during pregnancy will help both the mother and family understand and work towards a common goal of a healthy child. This has to be initiated at the medical level. Similarly, families and community at large must allow the women to recover from the labour of pregnancy, child birth and gain strength to breastfeed. This means that the family support systems must be understanding and also emotionally sensitive.

What initiatives should be taken at the government level to create convenience for this facility for a young mother?
The government schemes for pregnancy and lactation are in place but it has to reach all mothers. Counselling is a main concern and it has to be carried out properly. Promotion of infant milk substitutes and feeding bottles must be restrained. Companies must grant proper maternity leaves for women. Despite the law, paid maternity leave is not being given to female employees by all companies. Strengthening these factors is very important to create the right eco-system for women.