Healthcare professionals recommend breastfeeding for the first six months before introducing solids to the infant. Breast milk contains antibodies that the mother shares with the child, boosting immunity and protecting the child from various diseases.
Breastfeeding has many benefits for both the mother and the child. It is known to lower the risk of type 1 diabetes, asthma, obesity, and sudden infant death syndrome in the growing infant. Mothers who are breastfeeding are at a lower risk of developing Non-Communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.
Breastfeeding doesn’t define a mother’s love for her child. Though breastfeeding is a natural process, it comes with its own set of challenges. For instance, getting the right position for feeding might take some time. Continuous pressure for breastfeeding might make first-timers anxious. Certain physical conditions can be challenging and need to be addressed to ensure a mother’s good health and comfort. In this article, Dr. Geetanjali Gupta, Director of Technical Operations and Quality, Redcliffe Labs, tells us more about the differences between breast milk and powdered milk.
Breastfeeding: Understanding Challenges A Mother Face
One of the most common problems that a breastfeeding mother faces is nipple thrush. This can be accompanied by a few other signs, such as:
- Nipple Thrust: This condition can lead to itchy, sore, red, and painful nipples causing irritation and discomfort to the mother while feeding. Such signs can be indicative of nipple thrush, a breast yeast infection that can be passed back and forth from the mother to the baby and needs immediate medical attention.
- Plugged Milk Duct: Red sore spots develop on the breast, leading to a plugged milk duct, which makes draining milk from that area difficult. Treatment should be sought if cold compress application and massaging do not render relief.
However, during unfavourable conditions, mothers have to switch to alternatives. Though the health benefits of breast milk can hardly be matched yet, catering to human needs and circumstances, the market has instant formulas for infants that provide the required nutrients and are a healthy choice.
A newborn baby should be fed 8–12 times a day. Sometimes, the breast produces excessive milk, causing a heavy flow that needs to be stopped by unlatching the child and letting the milk flow onto some container or cloth. At the same time, in certain conditions, too little milk is produced, causing a problematic situation. Poor diet of the mother, lack of rest, poor latching, and irregularity in feeding can be some of the reasons for this. Powdered milk comes in handy in such situations.
Mothers trying to balance breastfeeding with deadlines and tight work schedules or the burden of managing household chores with sole responsibility might be battling for balance and a break. In such dire straits, mothers need to switch to alternatives without being burdened with guilt.
Substituting with powdered supplements or pumping the milk and storing it for later consumption are feasible alternatives that gradually decrease the child’s search for the mother’s breast and help develop the habit of suckling from a sterilized bottle.
Moreover, breastfeeding is not recommended for mothers who are infected with HIV, are taking medications that can be passed to the child through breast milk and harm the infant, are undergoing radiation therapy, especially of the chest, or are suffering from untreated tuberculosis. Lactating mothers who consume alcohol and are actively involved in smoking should refrain from feeding the baby for some hours and give substitutes to ensure the well-being of the baby.
Powdered milk is a boon for babies with galactosemia, making it difficult for them to digest breast milk. A supplement free of lactose and galactose can be part of their diet.
Redcliffe Labs, Director of Technical Operations and Quality, Dr. Geetanjali Gupta, says,“ Breast milk is an unmatched source of nutrition for the growing baby, yet it cannot be denied that children dependent on other substitutes are equally healthy. The key is choosing the right formula that meets the infant’s nutritional needs, allowing them to thrive and grow healthily. Encouraging new mothers to breastfeed under the right circumstances is essential, but they should not feel guilty for not being able to do so under unfavourable conditions. Provisions should be made for maternal well-being while ensuring the child’s holistic wellness while meeting their needs.”
Succumbing to lifestyle comforts or misconceptions, such as the belief that breastfeeding changes the shape of the breast, makes the child clingy, or requires drastic dietary modifications for the mother, should not be reasons for deciding between breastfeeding and powdered milk. The only parameter for making the choice should be the postpartum health of both the mother and child.
Furthermore, a mother’s decision not to breastfeed should not be questioned. The belief that children who are not breastfed are not attached to their mothers is a myth. Love and care are the pillars that make a bond between the mother and the child. Let’s not make breastfeeding a parameter to judge parenting. Consulting a healthcare professional and seeking professional guidance can help make informed decisions.