Breastfeeding - Smile Foundation

Breastfeeding is a beautiful, natural process that creates an unbreakable bond between a mother and her baby. However, with so much information available, it is easy to get caught up in breastfeeding myths that can make this journey seem more stressful than it should be.

We are here to debunk some of these myths and replace them with reassuring facts, aiming to boost the confidence and empower new mothers as they embark on this vital part of motherhood.

Breastfeeding Myths and Facts

Myth 1: Breastfeeding is always easy and natural.

Fact: Although breastfeeding is a natural process, it often requires patience and practice. Many mothers face challenges such as latching difficulties and milk supply issues. It is important to seek guidance from healthcare professionals or lactation consultants if you encounter difficulties.

Myth 2: A strict diet is necessary to produce quality milk.

Fact: While maintaining a balanced diet is beneficial for your health, your body is remarkably equipped to produce high-quality milk for your baby, even if your dietary intake is not perfect. Focus on a well-rounded diet and staying hydrated.

Myth 3: Breastfeeding spoils the child.

Fact: Breastfeeding on demand is based on the baby’s needs, which helps to establish a strong emotional foundation and secure attachment. It does not spoil the child but instead supports their developmental and emotional well-being.

Myth 4: Frequent nursing means your baby isn’t getting enough milk.

Fact: This is among the most common breastfeeding myths that often have new mothers confused. Babies naturally nurse often — not only for nutrition but also for comfort. Frequent nursing in the early weeks helps stimulate milk production and ensures a good supply over time.

Myth 5: Formula is equivalent to breast milk.

Fact: Formula provides essential nutrients, but breast milk offers a complex mix of antibodies, enzymes and hormones that are uniquely tailored to the health of your baby.

Myth 6: Pumped breast milk is not as good as nursing.

Fact: Pumped breast milk still provides the same nutrients and benefits as milk taken directly from the breast. This can be a practical solution for mothers who return to work or require flexibility.

Myth 7: Small breasts produce less milk.

Fact: Breast size is not an indicator of milk-producing capability. Small and large breasts can produce ample milk for a baby, as milk production is determined by demand and other physiological factors, not breast size.

Myth 8: Breastfeeding hurts, so it is not normal if it is painless.

Fact: While some discomfort can be normal as you and your baby learn to latch properly, persistent pain is a sign that something may be wrong, such as an improper latch or an infection. It is important to address pain with a healthcare provider.

Myth 9: You cannot breastfeed if you are sick.

Fact: In most cases, breastfeeding while sick is not only safe, but it can actually help protect your baby from infection, as your body produces antibodies to the illness that get passed through your milk.

Best Practices for Successful Breastfeeding

– Start Early and Learn About Latching

The first step to successful breastfeeding is initiating nursing within the first hour after birth, if possible. Proper latching is important to prevent pain and ensure your baby is getting enough milk. Do not hesitate to ask for a lactation consultant’s help while you are still in the hospital.

– Set Up a Comfortable Nursing Station

Have a designated comfortable space in your home for breastfeeding. This could be a rocking chair with a supportive pillow and supplies like water, snacks, and burp cloths within reach.

– Listen to Your Baby and Your Body

Feed on demand—this means watching for cues that your baby is hungry and offering the breast promptly. Early signs of hunger include stirring, mouth opening, and turning their head to look for your breast. Responding to these cues before they start crying will make breastfeeding easier for both you and your baby.

– Take Care of Your Health

Your well-being directly impacts your breastfeeding experience. Try to get enough sleep, eat nutritious foods, and drink plenty of fluids. If you are feeling overwhelmed, seek support from friends, family, or professional counsellors.

– Stay Informed and Supported

Join breastfeeding support groups, either online or in your community. Being around other nursing mothers can provide you with invaluable encouragement and practical advice during this journey.

Overcoming Challenges in Breastfeeding Myths and Doing Well

Breastfeeding can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially during the first few weeks postpartum. Remember, every mother’s breastfeeding journey is unique. Challenges do not make you a failure, they are simply obstacles to overcome, and with the right support and breastfeeding facts mentioned above, you can master them.

If you encounter difficulties, contact healthcare professionals specializing in lactation. They can offer tremendous help through personalized advice and solutions.

Embrace Your Unique Journey

Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman program plays a big role in supporting new mothers by raising awareness about breastfeeding. Through targeted initiatives and community engagement, the program educates mothers about the importance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of both the mother and the child. By providing information on breastfeeding techniques, nutritional benefits, and the emotional bond it fosters, Swabhiman empowers mothers to make informed decisions regarding their and their child’s nutrition and development.

Moreover, the program offers counseling and support services to address any challenges or concerns that mothers may encounter during their breastfeeding journey. Through its comprehensive approach, the Swabhiman program not only promotes breastfeeding as a vital aspect of maternal and child health but also ensures that every mother receives the necessary support and guidance to nurture her the growth and development of her child optimally.

Every breastfeeding experience is unique, and filled with its ups and downs. With these common breastfeeding myths and facts, we hope new mothers can embrace best practices, and make their journey a more joyful and fulfilling part of motherhood.

To mothers, remember, you are not alone in this journey. Surround yourself with support and believe in your natural ability to care for your baby. Trust yourself, stay informed and take each day one step at a time. Keep these tips and breastfeeding facts in mind and don’t forget, you’ve got this, mom!

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure a child’s health and survival. However, contrary to WHO recommendations, fewer than half of infants under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed (only breastmilk for 6 months since birth).

Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies that help protect against many common childhood illnesses. It provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year of life.

Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Stages of Breastmilk Production

The production of breast milk begins during pregnancy. When the baby is born, the new mother will have only a small amount of milk for the first day or two; which is more than enough for your newborn. The baby is getting enough milk if they have one wet diaper on day one, two wet diapers on day two, and so on. In the first two weeks after a baby is born, breast milk progresses through three main stages: colostrum, transitional breast milk, and mature breast milk.

Colostrum

Colostrum, the first type of breast milk, is present at the end of pregnancy and during the first few days after a baby is born. The amount of colostrum that the body makes is small, but that small volume contains everything the newborn needs in the first few days of life. It’s also a natural laxative that helps prevent jaundice by clearing the baby’s body of meconium: the first thick, black, tarry stool.

Transitional Milk

Transitional breast milk is a combination of colostrum and mature milk. When the breast milk begins to come in (three to five days after delivery), it mixes with colostrum and gradually transitions to mature milk over the course of a few days or a week.

Mature Milk

Milk changes over to mature breast milk by the time a baby is about two weeks old. Compared to colostrum, mature milk is lower in protein but higher in fat and carbohydrates. Mature milk contains about 90% water to meet your baby’s fluid needs.

Breastmilk Supply

The body creates breast milk in response to pregnancy and the suckling of a baby at the breast. But to continue making breast milk after your baby is born, you will need to breastfeed or pump/extract. Extracting/removing milk from the breasts stimulates the mother’s body to make more milk. The more often one breastfed or pumps/extracts, the more milk is made, thereby establishing a mutually dependent physiological process.

Common Breastfeeding Problems

Breastfeeding takes time and practice for both mothers and babies. Many mothers experience challenges with breastfeeding, but the right support can help overcome these issues. Some of the common breastfeeding issues are:

Sore or cracked nipples
Not enough breast milk
Breast engorgement
Baby is not latching on properly
Too much breast milk
Blocked milk duct
Inflammation of the breast
Breastfeeding and tongue tie (the strip of skin that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth [frenulum] is shorter than usual.)

Diet Considerations for Breastfeeding Mothers

Women have distinct nutritional requirements throughout their lives – especially before and during pregnancy and while breastfeeding when nutritional vulnerability is greatest. Ensuring women have nutritious diets and adequate services and care is fundamental for the survival and well-being of mothers and their children.

Before pregnancy, women need nutritious and safe diets to establish sufficient reserves for pregnancy. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, energy and nutrient needs increase. Poor diets lacking in key nutrients like– iodine, iron, folate, calcium and zinc can cause anemia, pre-eclampsia, hemorrhage and even death in mothers. Poor nutrition during breastfeeding makes it more challenging for mothers to replenish their nutrient stores and meet their additional dietary needs.

Breastfeeding mothers generally need more calories to meet their nutritional needs while breastfeeding. An additional 330 to 400 kilocalories (kcal) per day is recommended for well-nourished breastfeeding mothers, compared with the amount they were consuming before pregnancy (approximately 2,000 to 2,800 kcal per day for breastfeeding women versus 1,600 to 2,400 kcal per day for moderately active, non-pregnant women who are not breastfeeding).

Generally, women do not need to limit or avoid specific foods while breastfeeding. Mothers should be encouraged to eat a healthy and diverse diet. In general, there is no specific food to avoid when breastfeeding and no evidence in respect of a protective effect of a prophylactic maternal exclusion diet during pregnancy or during lactation on the occurrence of atopic diseases in infants. Unless one notices that the baby reacts within 6 hours every time one eats a certain food, there is no need to stay away from any particular food.

Smile Foundation and Health of Mothers

Smile Foundation’s women empowerment programme, Swabhiman, collaborates with dedicated corporate and individual donors to champion SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages (Target 3.1 and 3.2- of reducing maternal mortality and neonatal mortality & under-5 mortality, respectively).

Together, we’re turning commitment into action by focusing on maternal and child health, with a comprehensive approach that spans 7 key areas. This includes everything from safe deliveries and early breastfeeding to immunization, fostering a nurturing environment for mothers and children within their first 1000 days.

By embracing innovative approaches like Kitchen Gardens, Godhbharai, and Annaprashan, we’re ensuring community involvement and local adaptability, while building upon past achievements for a sustainable impact.

Written by

Pragya Jain, Women Healthcare Consultant with Smile Foundation

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