MANILA, Philippines — Breast milk is best for babies, and studies show that breastfed children grow up to be stronger and more resistant to illnesses.
“Safe, clean, natural, and free, breastmilk contains the right amount of carbohydrates, protein, and fats, plus essential vitamins, minerals, and antibodies needed for your baby’s development and protection against diseases,” said Doctor Patricia Florestine Kho from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed).
Pregnant women have often been told this by health experts as they prepare for childbirth and motherhood to convince them to breastfeed their babies when they finally give birth. And quite a number of them commit to breastfeed.
After all, breastfeeding offers many benefits, both for babies and for their moms. For the kids, those who have been breastfed are less likely to be obese, diabetic, and asthmatic, or experience ailments like ear infections, respiratory tract infections, and upset tummy. They also grow up smarter, as evidenced by their high scores on intelligence tests. This is because breast milk contains more than just basic essential nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates and fats. It also contains millions of live cells, including stem cells (which help organs develop and heal), as well as more than 1,000 proteins, which help babies grow and develop. Also found in breast milk are more than 200 complex sugars called oligosaccharides (which work as or good bacteria in the gut and prevent blood infections).
Of the many other beneficial stuff that breast milk contains, particularly important are the vitamins and minerals that support healthy growth and organ function and help build the teeth and bones of babies, the antibodies or immunoglobulins that protect babies against illnesses and infections, and the long-chain fatty acids that help build the nervous system and healthy brain and eye development.
Most important is the first milk that the mother’s breasts produces because it is pure colostrum. Thick and sticky and often called “liquid gold,” this early milk truly nourishes and protects newborns like no other. It is something that cannot be replicated and is produced only by human breasts—and not just human breasts but mothers’ lactating breasts that are producing their early milk. Its functions in strengthening babies’ immune system and protects them from infections and diseases cannot be discounted, as they are tailor-made according to a particular newborn’s needs. Colostrum works wonders.
For moms, breastfeeding works wonders, too. For one, and most important of all, it lowers their risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, Type 2 diabetes, and breast and ovarian cancers. And because it burns calories, breastfeeding contributes to post-pregnancy weight loss, making it easier for moms to get back in shape and down to their regular weight.
And yet for all its advantages and the numerous laws in place to encourage breastfeeding, the exclusive breastfeeding rate in the Philippines is a mere 34%, according to a report by the University of the Philippines.
“Mothers will tell you that breastfeeding hurts or that they can’t produce milk. Others say they are too exhausted to breastfeed after a long day at work,” said Dr. Kho.
These three common challenges prevent some mothers from breastfeeding their babies.
Still, breastfeeding advocates are not giving up, and with government support through the promotion of breastfeeding programs and maternity protection in the workplace, plus the expertise of breastfeeding counselors within reach, they hope to bring the number up to at least 50% by 2025. That is the goal set by the World Health Assembly.
For its part, MakatiMed encourages the practice of this most natural, nutritious, and beneficial means to nourish your infant by offering solutions to mothers’ most common breastfeeding challenges.
Challenge No. 1: 'I don’t produce enough breast milk'
Polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid or hormonal problems have been known to interfere with the production of breast milk, as do stress, dehydration, weight loss, obesity, and certain medications (contraceptives, cold medicine).
Otherwise, health experts describe the production of breastmilk as a matter of supply and demand. “The more you breastfeed or pump, the more milk you produce,” Dr. Kho explained. “Try breastfeeding every 2 to 3 hours, or at least eight (8) times a day. This way you empty your breasts to encourage milk production and sustain lactation. Nurse baby from one breast to the other and compress your breast as baby suckles to facilitate milk flow.”
Challenge No. 2: 'Breastfeeding hurts'
Nursing a baby may be a unique bonding experience between mother and child, but when your nipples end up painful, sore, and cracked, the last thing you want is to spend time with your little one.
“Consult your doctor or a lactation specialist on the proper way for your baby to latch,” Dr. Kho advised. “Inverted or flat nipples may pose challenges in breastfeeding and can lead to breast pain, and these health experts can advise you on how to ease the pain.”
To relieve sore nipples, gently massage the sensitive area and place a warm heating pad or washcloth on your breast before feeding. Put a cold compress over it after feeding. “Also, find a place and position where breastfeeding is comfortable for you and baby. Use pillows and foot stools for extra support,” added Dr. Kho.
Challenge No. 3: 'I’m tired'
After a long day at work or managing the household, moms deserve some “me” time. “It’s perfectly normal for moms to want to check out temporarily from parenting duties to rest and recharge. But they can still feed the baby on time by pumping or hand expressing their breastmilk then storing what they collected until it’s time to feed,” said Dr. Kho.
According to the MakatiMed health expert, breast milk lasts up to 8 hours at room temperature, from 1 to 8 days at 2°C to 4°C in the fridge, and for three months inside a 2-door freezer.
“While you are producing breast milk, take advantage of its many health benefits for your baby,” is Dr. Kho’s message to moms. “We only want what’s best for our children, and they have everything to gain from nature’s perfect food.”