On the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, Nitya Pandey caught up with Professor Dr. Saraswati Padhye, former director of Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital and former president of Nepal Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (NESOG), who is currently working as a Senior Consultant of Gynecology at Kathmandu Medical College.[break]
Dipesh Shrestha
What is the significance of breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is a very important process. At the moment, Nepal and Bangladesh have the highest breastfeeding rates in the world. Breastfeeding has many physical and psychological benefits.
Physically, it strengthens the babies’ immune system since mother’s milk is a complex package rich in proteins, vitamins, sodium, potassium and many other nutrients. Similarly, for mothers too, it’s highly beneficial since it checks postpartum hemorrhage (post-natal internal bleeding as the body gets rid of lining of uterus after childbirth). Also, the weight gained during pregnancy which is usually around twelve kilos is shed with the help of breastfeeding and light exercises.
Psychologically, it increases the attachment between a mother and her child and strengthens the mother-child bond.
What is the proper way to breastfeed a baby?
Many new mothers who have just had their first baby complain of dry breasts because they do not know the correct way to breastfeed. To avoid this situation, they should be psychologically readied for the process since the antenatal period itself. A mother should never be anxious or self conscious while feeding her baby. It’s advisable not to feed the baby during bedtime since the mother may fall asleep and suffocate the baby underneath her own body. The best way to feed the babies is to place them in an elevated position and hold them with the left hand while holding the breast with the right hand.
How do we know if the baby is getting enough milk?
The scientific way to know this is to test feed the baby. During this process, the baby is weighed before and after being fed. The difference in the weight will show whether he or she is getting enough milk into the system. Other than that, the mother herself can keep the count of her baby’s sucks and swallows and gradually she will come to know the average consumption rate. Sometimes, the baby might fall asleep while suckling. In such situations, the baby should be tickled lightly on the foot so that he or she can be woken up for feed.
What kind of diet is advisable for a lactating mother?
A lactating mother should stay away from caffeine, cigarettes and alcohol. The lactating phase is also considered a period of miniature pregnancy. So a mother’s diet should be rich in protein. She should include foodstuffs like eggs, bananas, beans and cheese in her meals. At least two liters of water is required to make up for all the fluid lost through urine, milk or perspiration. In addition to that, she should also bask in the early morning sun for around ten minutes since those rays are rich in vitamin D.
What are the elements that can hamper the flow of milk?
Certain chemical components flow out through the milk that is consumed by the baby. Therefore, a lactating mother should always let the physician know that she is breastfeeding. There are some medicines that are harmful for the baby which is also mentioned on their packaging. Other than those, sedatives, tranquilizers and antidepressants too are not very suitable for a lactating mother.
Many people take the breastfeeding phase as contraceptive period in itself. But that is not completely reliable. That being said, one should keep in mind that birth control pills can hamper the flow of milk. Therefore, other contraceptive measures like Depo-Provera and likewise should be used during this time.
What is the ideal duration to breastfeed a child?
The yellowish milk that flows right after childbirth and continues up until almost a fortnight after the birth is known as “colostrum.” It’s the best diet for any baby and should never be wasted. The recommended duration for exclusive breastfeeding is six months. After that, the baby can be fed other solid and liquid foodstuff along with the mother’s milk. But I have seen mothers even breastfeeding their seven year olds. This is not very advisable since it would weaken the bones of the mothers. I would thus advise for the babies to be breastfed up to the age of two or three at the most.
What are the problems that a mother could face while breastfeeding?
Mothers having their first babies usually face the problem of shriveled nipples that should be elongated with the help of an artificial suction pump. It’s a simple process that we teach expecting mothers with the intention that they can try it out at home everyday. While using two 10ml syringes, we can create a small pump and attach it to the nipples so that they can be pulled at and drawn out. This later helps the baby to suckle. Similarly, if the nipples get sore, the mother should wash them gently with saline water and massage them with a clinically recommended cream or her own milk. While breastfeeding, she should use a nipple shield to avoid further pain and discomfort. Furthermore, in some cases, the milk might continue to flow and despite the discomfort, one cannot really do anything about it.
Is there any medical condition in which mothers should not breastfeed a child?
There are no medical conditions as such. A diabetic mother can easily breastfeed. Similarly, a mother suffering from tuberculosis can breastfeed provided she wears a mask. Even an HIV infected mother can breastfeed since this disease does not transfer through milk.
And does the mother’s age play any significant role in the process?
The mother’s age is of no relevance when it comes to lactation. Once a woman conceives and gives birth, she becomes eligible to breastfeed.
Is there an alternative to mother’s milk?
No, there is no alternative as such. However, as a last resort, if no other options are available, cow’s milk can be used as baby food. Three fourth of milk mixed with one fourth of water with a little sugar can act as a replacement for mother’s milk.
What are the options for working mothers?
Working mothers get maternity leave of only two months in our country. Some countries provide maternity leave up to six months. Under such circumstances, I think workplaces should create a separate space and favorable environment for lactating mothers to breastfeed. If this is not possible, there is always the option of manually pumping the milk out using a suction pump. This milk can be stored in bottles, put in refrigerators and boiled well before the baby consumes it. However, this process can be physically tiring for a lactating mother.
Does getting a caesarian section affect the amount of milk?
No, it doesn’t. However, the wound may make breastfeeding a little uncomfortable. Moreover, unlike the case of natural delivery where the baby is made to suckle within an hour of birth, in cesarean cases, the newborns are kept under observation. This makes it impossible for the mother to breastfeed within the first hour of birth. Usually, it’s seen that such babies suffer from respiratory complications.
So what is your message to lactating mothers?
The ability to breastfeed is a unique gift that Mother Nature has bestowed upon women. Mother’s milk is readymade ambrosia that can nourish even a premature and fragile baby to health and life. Moreover, it also protects the mother herself from different ailments. Researches have even shown that breastfeeding reduces the chances of breast cancer. Suckling and nourishing your young one will never reduce your beauty. It will only bring you closer to your child. Therefore, every mother should learn the correct way to breastfeed. And we must keep up the record of being the leading nation when it comes to breastfeeding our babies.
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