Looking at the common misconceptions that surround breastfeeding.

HEARING the first cry of her first child, a new mother heaves a sigh of relief. She waits in anticipation to welcome her bundle of joy into her arms.

In the periphery of her vision, she sees the midwife walking towards her with her baby wrapped snugly in a white cotton towel.

Being previously immersed in prenatal preparation, she frantically searches her memory for some inkling of what to do next. Of course, breastfeed!

Suddenly, bucketloads of advice – from well-meaning relatives, friends, the mother-in-law and the last parenting book she read – enters her blissful state of mind as she tries to decide on the best way to feed her baby.

Studies have found that breastfeeding actually promotes better bone remineralisation in the mother. -APphoto

To clear some of the confusion, the following are the common misconceptions about breastfeeding.

Myth: I can’t breastfeed because I am too thin/malnourished.

Fact: Malnourished women typically do not have trouble breastfeeding. Breast milk production remains largely unaffected by malnourishment, and is produced in a non-exhaustive supply, making it readily available at all times for newborns. Only in severely malnourished women can breastfeeding be a problem.

Myth: I don’t have enough milk.

Fact: When a baby starts suckling on your breast, the stimulation will induce the release of oxytocin in your body, which stimulates the let-down reflex (milk ejection reflex) when your are relaxed. During the first few days of breastfeeding, your milk may be a watery, clear and yellowish fluid. This is actually colostrum (also known as beestings or first milk), which is high in carbohydrates, protein and antibodies and low in fat.

Although your baby may become hungry often, it may be because babies have small digestive systems and need frequent feeding with small amounts of milk at any one time. Or, your baby may not have latched on properly onto your breast.

Myth: I can’t breastfeed because I am sick.

Fact: With very few exceptions, the baby will be protected by continued breastfeeding. By the time the mother has fever (or cough, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, etc) she has already given the baby the infection, since she has been infectious for several days before she even knew she was sick. The baby’s best protection against getting the infection is for the mother to continue breastfeeding.

If the baby does get sick, he will be less sick if the mother continues breastfeeding. In Malaysia, mothers who have been tested HIV-positive are not recommended to breastfeed their child; but in some countries where the babies are more likely to die from infections from the unsafe preparation of replacement foods (e.g. lack of clean water supply to prepare infant formula), mothers can still breastfeed.3

However, nursing mothers should always check with their physicians if they are ill or if they have started on any medications or treatments.

Myth: Breastfeeding ties the mother down.

Fact: It depends on how you look at it. A baby can be nursed anywhere, any time, and thus breastfeeding is liberating for the mother. No need to drag around bottles or formula. No need to worry about where to warm up the milk. No need to worry about sterility. No need to worry about how your baby is, because he is with you.3

Myth: As I have a breast implant, it may be dangerous for me to breastfeed.

Fact: Most do very well. There is no evidence that breastfeeding with silicone implants is harmful to the baby. Occasionally this operation is done through the areola. These women do have problems with milk supply, as does any woman who has an incision around the areolar line.3

Myth: My baby is born premature. My milk is not ready for a baby to feed on.

Fact: In pregnancy, there is an increased level of the prolactin hormone in your body. Therefore, the mammary (breast) glands are ready to produce milk as the pregnancy progresses. If you delivered prematurely, the breast milk is well designed and more suitable for the baby at that gestation. You may be encouraged to express breast milk even though the baby is not suckling well.

Breast milk production starts very early and it is suited to the baby’s needs at any stage of gestation.

Myth: If my baby is drinking my milk, I might get brittle bones and develop osteoperosis when I am old.

Fact: Studies have found that breastfeeding actually promotes better bone remineralisation. That means, a lot more bone formation takes place when a woman is breastfeeding.

On another note, supplements are usually not needed every day if you are eating a normal diet unless its use is indicated by your health professional. If not practised prudently, excessive supplementation may result in weight gain.

Usually, nursing mothers need more iron to prevent anaemia, but they only need about 200 more calories (about two slices of bread) daily compared to women who are not breastfeeding.

References:

1. Dr Seri Suniza Sufian, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist

2. Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, American Academy of Pediatrics Policy statement (Organisational Principles to Guide and Define the Child Health Care System and/or Improve the Health of All Children).

3. Breastfeeding Myths, Jack Newman M.D., http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_myths1.html#M1_1, (13 Aug 2008)

4. Maternal Health and Well-Being: A Cornerstone of the Millennium Development Goals, United National Association of USA; http://www.unausa.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKRI8MPJpF&b=1733129

For more information about breastfeeding, you can visit the Malaysian Breastfeeding Information Bureau website at bibmalaysia.org. You can also contact the Breastfeeding Information Bureau at 03-4107 3678 or breasted@bibmalaysia.org for further assistance.