Avinya Foundation

Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all

Aug 05, 2024By Dr. Poojitha Pavuluru (MBBS), Dr. Monika Vijay (MBBS), Dr. Shama Sowdagar (MBBS, DNB-Paediatrics, Fellowship in Rheumatology)

DP

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Breastfeeding is a universal practice that offers profound benefits for infants, mothers, and society as a whole.

As we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week from August 1st to 7th, it’s essential to recognize the significance of this vital practice and raise awareness about its numerous advantages and the challenges faced.

The Health Benefits of Breastfeeding

For babies

Nutrition: Breast milk provides the perfect balance of nutrients essential for a baby's growth, especially in the first six months. It's packed with proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Immunity boost: Newborns have an immature immune system that takes time to strengthen as the baby grows. Breast milk contains antibodies from the mother that protect against infections and diseases, particularly in the first six months.

Digestive health: Breast milk is easy to digest compared to formula milk, thereby reducing the risk of diarrhea and constipation.

Short-term and long-term benefits: Breastfeeding lowers the risk of respiratory and diarrheal illnesses in infancy and reduces the likelihood of chronic conditions like obesity, asthma, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and allergies later in life.

Growth and Development: It supports cognitive development and can positively impact educational outcomes.

Bonding: Breastfeeding fosters a unique bond between mother and baby through skin-to-skin contact.

For mothers

Postpartum Recovery: Breastfeeding promotes uterine contractions by producing hormones, helping the body recover quickly from childbirth and reducing postpartum bleeding.

Calorie burning: It helps mothers return to their pre-pregnancy weight by burning additional calories.

Lower Risk of Certain Diseases: Breastfeeding mothers are less likely to develop breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis later in life.

Emotional satisfaction: The hormones released during breastfeeding enhance the bond with the baby and can have positive psychological effects like relaxation.

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Global Challenges and Solutions

Cultural and societal barriers: In some cultures, public breastfeeding is stigmatized. Education and awareness campaigns are crucial to changing perceptions and creating supportive environments.

Work place support: Many working mothers struggle to balance breastfeeding with their jobs. Policies like paid maternity leave, flexible hours, and designated breastfeeding areas can help (Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017).

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Misinformation and Myths: Many mothers can have misconceptions about breastfeeding, e.g., 'breast feeding is old fashioned', 'I have some disease or I'm on medication, so can I breastfeed my baby?'....

Consulting lactation consultants or any health care provider like a pediatrician, neonatologist, or gynecologist can help guide the mother in busting the myths and misconceptions about breastfeeding.

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Access to Resources: In low-resource settings, access to breastfeeding education and support can be limited. Improving maternal and infant health services and ensuring the availability of necessary resources is essential.

Lack of family and community support: Family and community support is vital. Counseling family members during pregnancy and increasing community awareness can improve outcomes.

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Education and Awareness: Educating providers, families and communities about the benefits of breastfeeding is key to increasing rates and ensuring new mothers receive the support they need.

Supporting Policies: Governments and organizations should enforce policies that promote breastfeeding, such as creating breastfeeding-friendly workplaces and providing healthcare coverage for breastfeeding support services.

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Global Initiatives: Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), and (UNICEF) are playing a crucial role in promoting breastfeeding through campaigns, research, and support programs. Their efforts help create a global environment that encourages and supports breastfeeding.

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Breastfeeding is not just a personal choice but a public health priority with far-reaching implications. By understanding its benefits, addressing challenges, and supporting policies that promote breastfeeding, we can improve health outcomes for both infants and mothers worldwide. World Breastfeeding Week reminds us of the importance of this natural practice and the collective effort needed to support it.