Breast milk is the ideal and complete meal for an infant. Sri Lankan statistics show that almost all mothers initiate breastfeeding for their children and 76 babies out of 100 get breast milk until completion of six months. However, 15 babies out of 100 do not get their first feed within half to one hour of birth.
Though this is the background yet one out of four Sri Lankan mothers think breast feeding should not continue when pregnant, one out of five babies is introduced to other formula milk the reason given that the baby is not sucking, 18 out of 100 mothers think they don't produce enough milk for their baby and 11 out of 100 mothers stop breastfeeding because of illness of the mother.
Here are some of the common myths associated with breastfeeding.
Myth 1 : Mothers do not produce enough milk.
Not true. The vast majority of women produce more than enough milk. Indeed, an oversupply of milk is common.
Most babies who gain weight very slowly, or lose weight, do so not because the mother does not have enough milk, but because the baby does not get the milk that the mother has. This is usually because the baby is not held to the mother’s breast properly.
This is why it is so important that the mother be shown, on the first day, how to position a baby to the breast.
Myth 2 : There is no (not enough) milk during the first few days after birth.
Not true. In the first few days the baby needs only colostrum. During the first few days, the mother only produces colostrum. In 3-4 days it is converted to mature milk.
The new born’s stomach size can take in only four teaspoons or 20 ml as such the amount of colostrum or milk produced is more than enough for the baby.
Myth 3 : Women with small breasts produce less milk than those with large breasts.
Not true. Breast size depends on the soft tissue inside the breast and not the milk producing glands.
Myth 4 : A mother whose breasts do not seem full has little milk in the breast.
Not true. A mother does not have to feel the breast full as a sign of producing plenty of milk. It is normal that a breastfeeding woman’s breasts feel less full as her body adjusts to her baby’s milk intake. In the first few days the milk flowing reflex (let down) is very active and the mother may feel fullness and later the breasts become soft.
Myth 5: Breast milk is insufficient for male babies.
Not true. Whether the baby is a boy or a girl they both need the same amounts of milk.
Myth 6 : If a baby cries after a feed, it is the most reliable sign of "not enough milk”.
Not true. Babies cry for various reasons. Crying is the baby’s only means of communication.
If the baby is gaining enough weight at least 500 grams per month then that baby is getting enough milk. Similarly if the baby is getting enough breast milk the baby will pass urine six or more times within 24 hours. Regular monthly weighing of your baby is the most reliable way of assessing the adequacy of breast milk.
Myth 7: A breastfed baby needs extra water in hot weather.
Not true. Breast milk contains all the water that a baby needs.
Myth 8 : A mother should wash her nipples each time before feeding the baby.
Not true. Washing nipples before each feeding makes breastfeeding unnecessarily complicated and washes away protective oils from the nipple making it dry.
Myth 9: Breast milk does not contain enough iron for the baby’s needs.
Not true. Breast milk contains just enough iron for the baby’s needs. If the baby is full term he will get enough iron from breast milk to last him at least the first six months. After that complementary food can be introduced. The iron from breast milk is completely absorbed unlike the iron supplements.
Myth 10: Breastfed babies need other types of milk after 12 months.
Not true. Breast milk gives the baby everything. Babies older than six months should be started on solids mainly so that they learn how to eat and so that they get other nutrients. Babies at one year should get five meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks in between. Babies will enjoy all the advantages of breast milk by continuing breastfeeding until they are two years. Breast milk is the richest source of DHA and not any other milk.
Myth 11 : A woman who becomes pregnant must stop breastfeeding.
Not true. If the mother and child desire, breastfeeding can continue. There are women who continue nursing the older child even after delivery of the new baby.
Myth 12: Breastfeeding twins is
difficult to manage.
Not true. Breastfeeding twins is easier than bottle feeding twins, if breastfeeding is going on well. A special effort should be made to get breastfeeding started correctly soon after the birth of twins. Many women have successfully breastfed triplets exclusively. This obviously takes a lot of work, energy and time, but it is a worthy investment for your babies. |
E-mail
