Breastfeeding stands out as one of the most potent methods for securing child health and survival. Breast milk, being the perfect nourishment for infants, is not only safe and clean but also rich in antibodies that bolster protection against numerous illnesses. Yet, there are instances where mothers hesitate to breastfeed their children due to insufficient understanding. To delve into the reasons behind this and to shed light on the myriad benefits of breastfeeding, Rising Kashmir’s Senior Health Correspondent, M Peerzada, engages in a discussion with Dr Suhail Naik, Assistant Professor at New Children Hospital, GMC Srinagar, exploring the current situation and potential pathways forward.
How important is exclusive breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health, survival and optimal brain development. There is consistent recommendation World Health Organization (WHO) that all infants should be breastfed exclusive till six months of age. Contrary to WHO recommendations, fewer than half of infants under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed. Firstly, infants who receive exclusive breastfeeding, develop strong immunity and less frequent respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Subsequently it decreases under-five mortality. Secondly these infants achieve higher score in different development quotients including intelligent quotient.
Still parents in general have very low threshold to initiate formula milk and feeds, despite our sustained campaign. Formula feeding is a major public health problem, and is a major risk factor for different short and long term adverse outcomes.
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 children also have reduced risks of breast and ovarian cancers.
Is breastfeeding important to decrease infant mortality?
Undoubtedly, the infants who are formula fed are susceptible to malnutrition, infections and have adverse short and long term outcomes in different health parameters. Research have consistently depicted that breastfed infants develop less frequent and milder infections and formula fed infants have develop more severe and frequent infections. Subsequently formula fed infants have higher frequency of hospitalization, mortality and morbidity.
Mother’s milk is only accepted to feed the growing infant, as it is nutritious, balanced and contains so many anti-infective and immunity-boosting molecules. Breast milk changes its composition and taste feed to feed and that is not possible for artificial feeds. Children who are exclusive breastfeed have less frequent and less severe respiratory tract systems, gastrointestinal and skin infections.
What percentage of women exclusively breastfeed in Kashmir?
In our study, titled ‘practice of exclusive breastfeeding: its socio- demographic determinants, we find prevalence of EBF only thirty six percent (36%) in Kashmir. These figures were disheartening, but in the last few years the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding is improving due to consistent efforts of health care workers.
In order to improve the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding, antenatal counselling about its advantages and technique are very essential as mothers are very sensitive about the health of their baby.
Why do mothers in Kashmir prefer formula milk for their babies? What are the reasons?
There are many reasons like poor knowledge, higher frequency of Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS), working mothers, family pressure and market pressures, which encourages formula feeding.
Two major reasons for the declining frequency of breastfeeding were LSCS and poor antenatal counselling. Our research depicted that Exclusive breastfeeding was significantly high in babies born by normal delivery, more than 3 antenatal visits, mother knowing the advantages of breastfeeding and higher parental education
Contrary to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, fewer than half of infants under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed. Why so?
There is poor knowledge among masses, market pressure, working women which all somehow force a mother to start formula feeding in babies. Many times when formula milk is given to the baby, they refuse to accept mother milk, due to nipple confusion, taste and lesser effort required to get formula feeding.
It is high time that health care workers should act as counsellors, promoters and ambassadors of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and no opportunity should be missed to make a mother aware about the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding. Further, J&KBOSE should also incorporate advantages of exclusive breastfeeding in their curriculum.
Furthermore, the government should take serious note on marketing and promotion of formula milk and Infant Milk Substitute Act (IMS Act) should be strictly implemented in J&K.
What are the major benefits of natural breastfeeding for children?
Breastfeeding can help protect babies against some short- and long-term illnesses and diseases. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The brain development in breastfeed children is much higher than formula-fed infants and this brain development in formative years of age helps them later in every aspect of life to become successful individuals and nation builders.
Breast milk is not only fed, but is a medium through which emotions, memory, attitude, behaviour etc. are transferred from mother to infant. Hispanic mothers don’t breastfeed their baby at the time of anger, as it can be transferred to the baby.
Do we conduct breastfeeding promotional activities in hospitals?
Yes, August 1st to 7th every year is celebrated as the World Breastfeeding Week to spread awareness, promote and support breastfeeding, breaking the social taboos associated with the process. Promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding is an important activity of the hospitals , health systems and the government to intensify efforts to promote optimal infant feeding practices, with a focus on breastfeeding.
What measures are needed that could improve frequency of breastfeeding?
The regular ongoing individualized antenatal education and postnatal support can effective increase the rates of exclusive breastfeeding from delivery to postpartum 6 months and change the breastfeeding behavior. In addition, the personalized behavior intervention can enhance maternal and infant satisfaction. Help pregnant women to learn about the importance of breastfeeding for their babies and themselves. Teach mothers to breastfeed. Encourage mothers to talk to their maternity care providers about plans to breastfeed. Support mothers to have time and flexibility to breastfeed.
Should some women not breastfeed their children? Why?
There are very limited conditions where mother should not breastfed her baby like phenylketonuria in baby.
What can women do to improve their chances for breastfeeding success?
· Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
· Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
· Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
· Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within an hour of birth.
· Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants.
· Give breastfeeding newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk unless medically indicated.
· Practice rooming in – that is, allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours per day.
Women who breastfeed have reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer? Is it true?
Yes it is true. Researchers across the globe have consistently affirmed that breastfeeding reduces the risk of different cancers in a mother.
Do breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests?
On average exclusive breast fed child has intelligent quotient of around ten points more than formula-fed. It must be understood that a difference of 1 in IQ makes hell and heaven difference in academic and economic achievements.
