Parenting
By: Bhavishya Gopal
Tags: Parenthood, Parenting Tips, Breastfeeding, New Mothers Support

10 Myths and Struggles in Breastfeeding and how to overcome it

Breastfeeding is the natural process for feeding the baby. New mothers should have knowledge about breastfeeding and the initial struggles they might have in that journey prior to delivery which will help them to understand it better. Also mothers struggle to handle the myths regarding breastfeeding.

As a new mom, most of them often expect a colorful life immediately after delivery. In reality, it’s not the case. Of course, the baby is going to bring you loads and loads of happiness in life, but not immediately. New mothers often feel stressed and exhausted because of reasons like pregnancy hormones change, struggle during delivery, pain after delivery and more. Their stamina to feed their new born also depends on factors like type of delivery they had(normal or c-section), complications they had during delivery. Breastmilk secretion works on the rule of demand and supply. More the baby suckle, more the milk is produced. It will take 6 weeks to establish the supply according to the baby’s needs.

As per WHO recommendation, new mothers can make sure that the baby will be given only breastmilk or formula milk for 6 months and it remains the main source of nutrition till 1 year because their digestive system is not mature enough to digest solids till 6 months and slowly can be introduced after it. It is also recommended to continue breastfeeding for 2 years.

Breastmilk is called “liquid gold” because it has such amazing health benefits for the baby. Baby will feel secure and safe at the mother’s breast once they are born because they will get the same warmth from the womb. Newborn mother’s will produce their first breastmilk called colostrum which is highly nutritious and a few drops which are produced are sufficient for the baby. The first one hour is called “golden hour” and the mother can ask for breast crawl to start breastfeeding. More skin to skin contact can help in starting the breastfeeding journey.

Breastmilk has antibodies which helps in building immunity for the baby, childhood obesity is reduced, mothers can manage the regression period by breastfeeding, baby will be getting all the essential nutrients (vitamins, protein, fat etc). After starting solids, it will help in easy digestion. When the baby gets illness, breastfeeding helps in getting quick recovery as breast milk is produced according to the baby’s needs. Extended breastfeeding also helps the infants to get the antibodies from the mother if they get sick, refuse food, managing tantrums etc.

Lets see about a few myths which new mothers might hear in breastfeeding and the reason not to believe it.

1) If the baby is feeding frequently or suffering from gastric issues, some people might say that the mother is overfeeding the baby. Breastfeeding babies know the amount of intake so they won’t get overfed. Incase the problem persists, mother can consult a paediatrician to identify the cause.

2) If the baby is not chubby, her breastmilk is not nutritious or it is watery. It is the constant dialogue which most of the mothers might hear it. It’s not true. Breastmilk secretion happens purely based on baby’s suckle. According to baby’s needs, breastmilk will get secreted. There is nothing called as watery breastmilk. Breastmilk is secreted as foremilk which is watery and hindmilk which is thicker. Both are nutritious.

3) After getting head wash or if the mother gets cold, she should not feed her child. It’s not true. Make sure to dry your hair properly so that water droplets from hair don’t fall on the child and not to sneeze in front of the baby so that the baby doesn’t get cold.

4) When mothers go out and if they want to feed their child, some are asked to do in their car or even washroom. Some people also say that if she feeds in front of others then milk secretion will stop. If the mother is comfortable, then she can feed the baby anywhere she wants. Milk secretion won’t stop because of feeding in public. No adult can eat in a washroom so the baby. People should understand that breastfeeding is quite a natural process.

5) People often advise that if a mother eats certain food, then baby will get that specific taste in her breast milk. If she eats more food, more milk will secrete. It’s not true. Eat for hunger, drink for thirsty. Every food in moderation is the key. If she wants to eat an ice cream, let her have it. Baby won’t get milkshake as breastmilk. If she eats bitter guard, milk won’t taste bitter . Breastmilk is secreted from the blood of a mother, not from her food.

Lets see about a few struggles which new mothers might face in breastfeeding and how to overcome those struggles.

1) After birth:

- If the baby is born as pre- mature (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), then depending on the baby’s condition, will be admitted to NICU if necessary. In this case, if the mother has good milk supply, she can either hand express or use a pump and give that milk to feed the baby. If not possible, formula can be given with parent’s consent.

- If the baby is born as full-term, he/she will be given to the mother for their first feed. Nowadays, some of the hospitals are giving formula milk immediately without getting mother’s consent which is not acceptable. This might create nipple confusion. It will be difficult to make the baby latch if they are used to the flow of milk. Baby’s weight will reduce after birth, so don’t worry about it. Mother can make sure to feed the baby for every 2 hours until their birth weight is regained and after that, they can feed based on the baby’s demand. If the supply is more, then she can use hot pack compression and hand express the milk till the pain is reduced. Mother can make sure to avoid taking any galactose to increase milk supply in the initial 6 weeks so that mastitis or further problems can be avoided.

2) Latching : Some babies may latch and some may not latch. Some mother’s start producing milk immediately and some might take a few days.

- If the baby latch is good and the mother doesn’t have any discomfort in feeding like pain, then the breastfeeding journey has started smoothly.

- If the baby latches and still cries every time, then the mother might secrete milk in a few days, so the baby can be fed with formula or breastmilk (from breastmilk bank or donor) in the meantime. Mother can try to latch the baby frequently when the baby is not hungry like after every feeding. This might help to latch better and for milk secretion of the mother.

- If the baby latches but is sleeping in a few minutes or not actively suckling or the mother is facing pain in feeding or the baby doesn’t latch at all, feeding position may not be comfortable for the baby or mother. Mother can try different feeding positions and can identify the one which is comfortable for both the baby and mother, so that it can help the baby to latch and mother can also avoid back pain because of sitting for longer hours.

- Even after changing feeding positions, if the problem remains the same, then the mother can consult a lactation consultant. They can guide her in the right direction. Most of them give online counselling also if she can’t meet personally. Some babies might have ties(lip tie or tongue tie or both). In such cases, babies can’t latch properly or won’t latch. They can guide on how to rectify the issue and can explain the proper feeding positions.

3) Pumping:

- Some mothers used to pump and give the milk because of various reasons like latching issue, resuming to work etc. That is also breastfeeding.Thanks to technology. Pumping is not an easier task, it’s difficult than direct feeding. It should be done at a regular interval of 2 to 3 hours once to meet the baby’s needs and to maintain the supply. Bottles should be sterilised properly. When the baby is sleeping, instead of taking rest, even at midnight, mother will be pumping so that her baby will get the breastmilk. Milk should be stored properly. To use it for a longer duration, it should be stored in the fridge. Everytime when we give breastmilk from the freezer, it should be thawed to room temperature. Once thawed, it should not be stored again. These many struggles she might face in pumping to give the breastmilk. So, the mother can ask the help of others to do things like feeding the baby, making them sleep to get some rest for her

4) Milk supply:

- Mothers might hear from others or they may have a doubt about their milk supply. If the pee count is fine (more than six), then your baby is getting adequate milk. So, mothers can have a check on pee count to know whether the baby is not dehydrated. Pumping can also increase the milk supply.

- Some mothers suffer from oversupply issue. Their bodies tend to produce more milk than the need of the baby. Those mothers might struggle to latch the baby. In such times, mother can hand express little before latching the baby. If she is comfortable, she can also pump and donate to breastmilk bank. It may help some mother for her baby.

5) Handling sleep and crankiness:

- Sometimes, babies wants to hold for their naps. Once we keep them down, they will be awake and start crying. Some people say that the baby is not fed fully so he/she is awake immediately. Feed the formula to make them full. It’s not true. Breastmilk will digest easily so the baby will also be feeding often. But, formula is not easily digested like breastmilk so babies might sleep a little longer. Babies can’t bridge their sleep cycles on their own like adults. In order to bridge their naps, mother can feed in the side lying position and make the baby sleep

- Babies cry for various reasons. Crying is the only means of communication to them. It doesn’t mean that the baby will cry only if he/she is hungry.They will cry if they feel cold, hot, stomach pain, boredom, scared and so on. Whenever they achieve new milestones like crawling, sitting, standing, walking, talking, they will cry more, will face discomfort in sleeping. In those times, breastfeeding helps to pacify the baby.

Easier said than done. After delivery, she may not be even able to sit for hours to try feeding because of tiredness, sleeplessness, pain etc. Her partner, family, friends could provide moral support to her and make sure that she gets adequate rest so that her body and mind will be fine. If possible, guide her to find a solution for issues. If any struggle she is facing in breastfeeding, ask her to meet the right person, provide correct info. Always remember, happy mom makes a happy baby. When a baby is born, a mother is also born again. There will be criticism no matter what the mother chooses for feeding. Mother can make sure to take an informed decision.

I would like to point out a few examples where mothers have got both good and bad experiences in real life.

- Some of my friends had a good breastfeeding journey. Baby latched well, milk supply was good, baby’s weight gain was adequate. They also did breastfeeding for more than a year and some of them did extended breastfeeding too.

- My baby didn’t latch. Met a lactation consultant, corrected ties but it was little late. Because of nipple confusion, I was not able to breastfeed. Finally decided to pump and give breastmilk instead of going for full formula feed. My baby was mixed fed. Pumping helped me to make sure that she gets breast milk for at least a year.

- I also know a mother who was struggling with latch. She corrected her baby ties and then breastfeeding was easier.

- One of my friend couldn’t breastfeed. She tried pumping but her milk supply didn’t increase. She went into postpartum depression because she couldn’t breastfeed and the people are making her feel bad. Then she understood, she is doing her best so no need to regret about it. It helped her to have a good time with the baby.

To the mothers who are facing struggles, just remember that, if you can carry your baby for 9 months in your womb safely, then you can take care of the baby also. Please consult a breastfeeding friendly paediatrician if you have any queries. Stay strong, you are the best and you can do it.