Introduction
Breastfeeding is the best way to feed infants. It fulfills the best nutritional need for growing infants. It is imperative to meet the optimum nutrition for the growth and development of infants. Despite various advancements in formula-based milk, there is no known substitute for breast milk.
The newborns with an underlying condition who could not receive mother’s milk should be fed with expressed mother’s breast milk or from milk banking. It is important to provide the baby with breast milk as the breast milk secretion is per the child’s growing need.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for up to six months of infants’ age, gradual weaning (introduction of solid food) after six months, and continued breastfeeding for up to two years or until the mother and the baby desires. Exclusive breastfeeding is the time period when the infants receive only breast milk during the first six months without any additional solid food or fluid, not even water.
Why Is Breastfeeding Important?
It acts as a protective shield against infections and reduces the risk of various systemic diseases, including diabetes, heart problems, and obesity, for newborns. It also reduces the risk of certain allergic diseases like asthma and improves an infant's brain development.
Additionally, the skin-to-skin contact essential for breastfeeding helps develop a bond between the mother and the newborn babies. On the other hand, breastfeeding minimizes the chances of breast and ovarian cancer in the mother.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly recommends breastfeeding for the initial six months of life and continuing breastfeeding until the mother and baby desire. It is beneficial for both the newborn and the mother.
What Are the Facilitators of Breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is a natural process that develops with time and practice. Many factors like different socio-cultural factors, habits, standards, and behavior influence breastfeeding mothers. The facilitators of breastfeeding can help mothers develop and practice the correct breastfeeding techniques to achieve effective breastfeeding for their newborns.
1. The Support of Breastfeeding Caregivers - Facilitators included good caregiver and healthcare professionals' attitudes, knowledge, and support during the postpartum period. It is essential because the correct early initiation of breastfeeding can help the mother learn the right way to breastfeed efficiently. Knowing the correct position to hold the babies and practicing proper latch can be quickly developed if the mothers are trained well in the hospital. A lactation consultant should share all the information regarding the latching techniques, ways of breastfeeding, number of feeds in a day.
2. Attuned Breastfeeding - Attuned breastfeeding is when both the mother and the baby trust the emotional, bodily response. The mother feels comfortable holding the infant while breastfeeding. Understanding the emotional response and needs of the infant can provide a mutual positive reaction. The key factors that facilitate attuned breastfeeding are prolonged skin-to-skin contact with the infant and positive relationships with the caregivers. Learning the feeding clues from the baby can also be very helpful for mothers in developing effective breastfeeding. Adopting and practicing breastfeeding in a relaxed position helped mothers promote the milk flow and get a positive response from the infants.
3. Lack of Prolonged Period of Mother and Infant Separation - The mother living in close physical association with the infant by maintaining skin-to-skin contact can facilitate their breastfeeding experience. It can promote the proper milk supply in the mammary duct and establish successful breastfeeding. In addition, some studies report that maintaining a daily kangaroo position helps the mother in breast milk secretion, especially when they cannot secrete breast milk properly in the beginning.
4. Supporting Work Environment for the Mothers - The maternity period must be considered at all workplaces. Therefore, all mothers must be provided with maternity leaves and some feasibility with the work while they continue breastfeeding their newborns.
5. Facilities for Breastfeeding at the Workplace - Accommodating a breastfeeding room in an office could be very helpful for breastfeeding mothers, as such facilities will help them make way for breastfeeding their babies while continuing with their work. This way, an uninterrupted breastfeeding and working environment could be well managed.
6. Appropriate Availability of Child Care Options - The restaurants, malls, and other social platforms should incorporate breastfeeding rooms. It can be helpful for many lactating mothers, especially those mothers who are uncomfortable breastfeeding in public. In addition, it could delay the weaning and provide adequate nutrition to the infant through breastfeeding.
7. Feeling Reassured - Another factor that positively impacted breastfeeding women was reassurance from staff and their family that they are “doing good with the breastfeeding.” It provided a feeling of security and calmness during their hospitalization period and even at home. Some mothers develop confidence by having the staff outside their private space and monitoring the feeding.
8. Feeling Relaxed- Adopting and practicing breastfeeding in a comfortable position helped mothers promote the milk flow and get a positive response from the infants.
Conclusion
Some studies show that cultural traits related to breastfeeding may be harmful or beneficial to optimal breastfeeding for mothers. The harmful cultural characteristics affect breastfeeding practices by extracting and discarding the colostrum milk and avoiding breastfeeding out of fear of bad blood entering the milk, believing that it may harm the child's health. All these practices may lead to early cessation of breastfeeding. It is essential to promote factors that enhance the breastfeeding experience of the mother, as early initiation of breastfeeding following the WHO guidelines is imperative for the growth and development of infants. A positive breastfeeding experience for a mother can enable her to achieve attuned breastfeeding.
