FAQs on breastfeeding

1. Why should babies be breastfed?
2. What are good breastfeeding practices?
3. Why is breastfeeding the baby within one hour of birth important
4. How can a woman start breastfeeding within an hour after a Cesarian?
5. What is colostrum and how does it help the baby?
6. What is exclusive breastfeeding?
7. What about water?
8. What if the baby continues to be hungry after breastfeeding?
9. What about sore breasts, cracked nipples, etc.?
10. Will exclusive breastfeeding for six months weaken the mother?
11. Can a woman breastfeed if her breasts are small?
12. Does breastfeeding make breasts sag?
13. How can a working woman exclusively bring up her baby on breastmilk?
14. What about infant formula and other baby milk produced by companies? Are these as good as breastmilk?
15. Is it safe to take medications while breastfeeding?

FAQs on kind of support breastfeeding women needinaccurate

1. Support with care, nutrition and information during pregnancy.
2. Support at delivery to start breastfeeding as early as possible.
3. Support to carry out exclusive breastfeeding.
4. Support in the form of Maternity Leave.
5. Support in the form of crèches and nursing breaks at the work place.
6. Support in the form of Restricting Unethical Marketing and Advertising of Breastmilk Substitutes.
7. Protesting the use of women's bodies as sex objects.

1. Why should babies be breastfed?

• Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. Breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do formula.
• There are health risks to the baby if it is not breastfed. Breast milk has agents (called antibodiesin it to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses. Babies who are not exclusively breastfed for 6 months are more likely to develop a wide range of infections diseases including ear infections, diarrhea, and respiratory illnesses. They are sick more often and have more doctor's visits.
• Breastfed babies score higher on IQ tests in childhood, especially babies who were born prematurely.
• Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the extra weight gained during pregnancy. It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size and lessens any bleeding you might have after giving birth.
• Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers and possibly the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause.
• Breastfeeding can help women bond with their babies. Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm and comforted.

BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING

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2. What are good breastfeeding practices?

Good breastfeeding practices include:

• Starting to breastfeed within one hour of birth
• Feeding the baby breastmilk and nothing else, not even water, for the first six months of life
• Introducing other appropriate and adequate foods thereafter while continuing to breastfeed the baby for as long as possible <<
  

3. Why is breastfeeding the baby within one hour of birth important

The breasts make milk only if they are stimulated by suckling. A baby just born needs only a few drops of milk, and the mother's breasts have this. When the baby suckles, the breast is stimulated to produce more milk. The baby will go to sleep with the just the few drops, but when he/she wakes up, the mother's breast will be full of milk for the next feed. The first few drops of milk, called colostrum, protects the baby from infections. Feeding within one hour of birth can reduce the risk of illness by 6 times. <<

4. How can a woman start breastfeeding within an hour after a Cesarian?

Initiation of breastfeeding is often delayed after a cesarian section. However, the woman can start breastfeeding as soon as she is fully conscious and alert. Women who have epidural anesthesia are generally able to hold the baby sooner and nurse for a longer period initially, than those who have general anesthesia. It is important that the woman breastfeeds the baby during the first day. <<

5. What is colostrum and how does it help the baby?

Colostrum is the thick, yellowish milk that the mother's breast produces for the first few days after delivery. It is rich in antibodies against several common diseases. When the baby drinks colostrum, the antibodies pass into its body and help to protect the baby against these infections, which can be life threatening for the baby.<<

6. What is exclusive breastfeeding?

Exclusive breastfeeding means giving the baby only breastmilk and nothing else. Any other fluid or foods, even water, can interfere with the milk supply. <<

What about water?

During the six months of exclusive breastfeeding, the baby does not require anything else, not even water. Breastmilk alone is sufficient to meet all its needs. During this period, the baby should not be given any water, other milks, juices, teas, soups, or any other kinds of liquids and solids, other than immunization (drops, such as Oral Polio Vaccine), any medication as part of a treatment prescribed by a qualified health worker.<<

8. What if the baby continues to be hungry after breastfeeding?

All women can produce enough milk for their babies. Only extremely malnourished women may have difficulty in doing so. The amount of milk produced depends on how often the baby suckles and for how long. The flow of milk from the breast to the baby is dependent upon the woman's state of mind. If she is depressed or worried, the milk that is already in her breasts may not flow to the baby's mouth. She may then get the feeling that her breasts are not producing enough milk for the baby. A trained counsellor can help the woman with her stress and fears, so that the milk will flow from her breast to the baby. <<

9. What about sore breasts, cracked nipples, etc.?

These problems are usually caused when the milk produced by the breast does not reach the baby. They can be easily treated by a health worker. A trained counsellor can help the woman to relax and enjoy breastfeeding. As the baby continues to suckle and draw out the milk, the problems will disappear.<<

10. Will exclusive breastfeeding for six months weaken the mother?

A breastfeeding woman requires some extra nutritious food everyday as milk production requires about 800 calories daily. An extra helping of wholesome fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and calcium-rich foods such as an extra glass of milk will meet her needs. She must drink plenty of water during the day while breastfeeding.<<

11. Can a woman breastfeed if her breasts are small?

Of course! Breast size is not related to the ability to produce milk. Breast size is dependent on the amount of fatty tissue in the breast, and not the amount of milk. <<

12. Does breastfeeding make breasts sag?

Several studies have shown that breastfeeding does not cause breasts to sag. Sagging is a natural and inevitable process that happens because of age, number of pregnancies and smoking. Diet and genetics may also play a role. Sagging of breasts is not related to breastfeeding in any way.<<

13. How can a working woman exclusively bring up her baby on breastmilk?

Today, several governments and private sector institutions offer maternity leave to women, when the women can recuperate from child birth and breastfeed the baby. When women do have to go to work, they can express their breastmilk either by hand or by using a breastpump. This milk can be stored, warmed as needed and fed to the baby by the care giver. <<

14. What about infant formula and other baby milk produced by companies? Are these as good as breastmilk?

Breastmilk is the best milk for babies. No other milk, whether fresh, or powdered, can meet their needs fully. Even the most hygienically manufactured milk is not as good as breastmilk for the baby. However, several times, the manufactured milks may be contaminated with bacteria, chemicals, toxics, etc. Or the water that is used for mixing the milk may be contaminated with these substances even if it is boiled, making other milks doubly dangerous for the baby.<<

15. Is it safe to take medications while breastfeeding?

Always tell the health worker that you are breastfeeding before taking any medication. The health worker will advise you on the need, the dosage and the precautions you may need to take.<<

FAQs on kind of support breastfeeding women need

1. Support with care, nutrition and information during pregnancy

Care and support from the family, friends, and community as well as adequate nutrition help the pregnant woman deal with stress and anxiety, and helps her maintain her health. Unbiased and accurate information will prepare her and her family to take good feeding decisions.

Possible Actions:

• Petitions for including good breastfeeding practices in national health policy
  
• Petitions to prevent the spread inaccurate information
  
• Petitions for nutritional support for pregnant and lactating women in food insecure nations and populations
  
• Rallies, etc. for above <<

2. Support at delivery to start breastfeeding as early as possible.

Women may feel tired after giving birth. They need support from trained health workers to start breastfeeding within the first hour. Ideally, the baby should get its first feed even before it has been washed.

If the baby is laid face down on the mother's stomach, its natural tendency is to crawl up and reach the mother's breast within fifteen minutes or so. It then takes the nipple in the mouth and suckles. The mother does not have to exert at all to help the baby take its first feed.

Possible Actions

• Petitions for implementing the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative
  
• Petitions for training of health workers of all levels in assisting mothers to initiate breastfeeding early <<

3. Support to carry out exclusive breastfeeding.

Adequate breastfeeding depends upon two factors - baby's suckling, which helps to produce more milk, and the mother's state of mind - if she is free from stress, anxiety and fear and is confident, the milk will flow easily from the breast to the baby. If any of the two factors are missing, the mother may experience problems in breastfeeding, and the baby may not get enough breastmilk. This will further the stress and anxiety in the mother, cause problems such as breast engorgement, painful breasts, ulcers, etc., which in turn will cause further stress and anxiety. A supportive family and friends can do much to help women who are facing such problems.

Sometimes, women who face problems during breastfeeding may need the help of counsellors who are trained in providing emotional support and accurate information. These can be Mother Support Groups, lactation counsellors, health workers trained in counselling skills. They may also need treatment for problems such as painful breasts, cracked nipples, ulcers, etc. For more information on training, see

Possible Actions

• Petitions demanding that health workers are trained in skilled counselling in breastfeeding
  
• Petitions demanding that all women have affordable access to the health care system
  
• Creating mother support group
  
• Demonstrations, rallies, sit ins demanding that all public places such as restaurants, shopping areas, airports, railway and bus stations, conference facilities, theatres, etc. have designated areas for breastfeeding
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4. Support in the form of Maternity Leave

While several countries have laws and policies related to maternity leave, most are not adequate for exclusive breastfeeding. Some countries do not have any specific laws to deal with this. In other countries, the laws apply only to the government, and the private sector, contract workers and the unorganised sector are not covered. Read more…

Possible Actions

• Petitions for legislation Maternity Leave to cover all working women, including those working as contract workers and those employed in the private and unorganised sectors
  
• Petitions demanding financial support to pregnant/lactating women in poor and food insecure households to help cope with reduced income
• Developing and publicising a Hall of Fame - list of those employers in all sectors who give adequate maternity leave, and Hall of Shame - those employers who do not
  
• Taking out rallies, breastfeeding sit ins, etc. to pressurise employers to provide adequate maternity leave
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5. Support in the form of crèches and nursing breaks at the work place

Several employers do not provide adequate crèche facilities or paid nursing breaks for women to continue to breastfeed their babies when they return to work. During the first six months, when the baby is being exclusively breastfed, women need to stay close to the babies, as well as plenty of breaks to feed the baby adequately. However, even those employers who provide crèche facilities, often restrict the breaks to one or two paid breaks. Again attendants at many crèches are untrained in infant and young child feeding, and are not able to help women cope with breastfeeding.

Facilities such as creches are rarely provided to contract workers and women in the unorganised sector. The current rising unemployment and changes in labour laws has made women's income important to the survival of the family. More and more women are becoming the primary breadwinners in the family, getting either contract work, or work in the unorganised sector, where there are rarely any rules and regulations to assist them to breastfeed.

Possible Actions

• Petitions for legislating adequate crèche services at all worksites.
  
• Developing and publicising a Hall of Fame - list of those employers in all sectors who encourage women to breastfeed at work, and Hall of Shame - those employers who do not
  
• Taking out rallies, breastfeeding sit ins, etc. to pressurise employers to provide adequate crèche facilities and nursing breaks
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6. Support in the form of Restricting Unethical Marketing and Advertising of Breastmilk Substitutes

Recognising the dangers of giving babies breastmilk substitutes, the World Health Organisation adopted the International Code for Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes in 1979. All countries of the world, except the US, have endorsed the Code. Read the history of the how the Code was developed….
Several countries have legislated the Code, or have made it into policy. Read more about the status of the Code in various countries….

However, the implementation of the Code or domestic law is still very weak, and corporations manufacturing breastmilk substitutes find ways and means to subvert it. Advertising practices range from free tins of milk powder and gifts to mothers, doctors and health workers, to hosting scientific seminars and workshops where doctors are enticed into prescribing breastmilk substitutes. To know more about how companies advertise breastmilk substitutes, visit ……

Possible Actions

• Petitions to legislate/strengthen legislation based on the International Code, and its strict implementation
  
• Investigation into how companies violate the Code, publicising the violations and demanding action
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Protesting the use of women's bodies as sex objects

The female breasts represent this nurturing and caring. Their natural curves remind us of comfort. Their delicate softness invites the warmth of a giving touch. In many societies, however, the breast has become a taboo organ with tremendous power and expectation. The size and shape of the breast is supposed to fit a predetermined form. The breast is glorified as a sex object and exploited for money. In some cultures, men compete with the baby for women's breasts. In others, women may not be allowed to breastfeed in public, because the breast is seen as a sex object first and milk-maker as a distant second. As a result, women may get serious doubts about what will happen to their sexuality, their sexual attractiveness if they breastfeed.

Possible Actions

• Petitions, demonstrations, rallies, to allow breastfeeding in public
• Petitions, demonstrations, rallies against using women's bodies as sex objects
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