Breastfeeding is about infant feeding, a way of giving food at its best. It is more than food, a meal, an antibiotic and a food. Breastfeeding is a natural process full of nutrients necessary for the healthy growth of the baby. Breast milk refers to the milk produced by a mother to feed her baby. It provides the main source of nutrition for babies before they can eat and digest other foods. Breast milk tends to be more easily digested, so breastfed babies have fewer cases of diarrhea or constipation.
Breast milk is made up of fats, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals essential for the growth of babies. This is why the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Breastfeeding offers so many health benefits for babies, including the release of oxytocin and prolactin, hormones that relax the mother and make her feel more affectionate with her baby. Breastfeeding helps nursing mothers burn calories and shrink the uterus, so nursing mothers can return to their pre-pregnancy shape and weight faster.
Breast milk contains some vitamin D, and the body makes vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. And because of the immunities and antibodies that are passed to babies through their mothers’ breast milk, breastfed babies rarely get sick.
Given all these advantages, breast milk supplies are declining today due to various factors ranging from personal, to society, to diet, and for various other reasons. Research conducted highlights some of these reasons below:
The perception of insufficient breast milk production is the most common reason given by mothers for weaning or the early introduction of solids or supplements, this is common when a baby seems full and cries many times as if the milk produced is not enough, but we must realize that breastfeeding at least every two to three hours helps maintain milk production.
For some personal reasons, some mothers find it difficult to breastfeed in public. In my opinion, I feel that any mother should be proud to show affection to her newborn through breastfeeding and never be ashamed.
Some women worry that breastfeeding will interrupt their normal activities at work, running errands, or traveling due to a nursing schedule or the need to express milk during the day.
A mother may not be able to produce breast milk due to a deficiency of prolactin.
The more your baby nurses, the more milk your breasts make because the composition of breast milk changes depending on how long the baby sucks each session, as well as the age of the child. For most women, eight nursing or pumping sessions every 24 hours keep their milk supply high. Separation from your baby or tight schedule feedings can affect the supply and demand system of milk production.
Another reason people care so much about breastfeeding is because we invest so heavily in our lifestyle these days. Breast surgery, such as a reduction or lift, can affect mothers by having supply difficulties if their milk ducts have been cut. For many women, the decision to breastfeed or formula feed is based on their comfort level, lifestyle, and specific medical considerations they may have.
Women who follow restricted diets in an attempt to lose weight while breastfeeding may be eating too few calories, leaving them tired and without the energy needed for optimal milk production. Maternal malnutrition is a major problem for women in developing countries, as malnourished women are often unable to produce breast milk.
Stress can negatively affect milk production. Mothers need to exercise and learn to relax and get plenty of rest to improve milk production. Minor stresses that occur in our daily lives or at work can affect milk production. Ovulation, menstruation or pregnancy can affect milk production. The high level of stress, mental pressure and health fatigue can explain the decrease in lactation or the duration of lactation.
If breast milk is not expressed frequently, then after a while there will be a significant reduction. What causes milk production to stay the same or increase is adequate milk removal. If only a small amount of milk is removed from the breast, milk production will decrease.
An attempt to take birth control pills containing estrogen can also affect milk production.
Another factor that affects milk production and lactation management is the mother’s milk storage capacity.
Inadequate attachment of the baby can affect milk production. Babies need to latch on efficiently to the nipple in order to get an adequate supply of milk.
Many women today see formula as an alternative way to feed their babies, so they don’t worry about breastfeeding. Some even prefer to visit the breast milk bank and pay instead of going through the daily stress of expressing breast milk.
However, the best recipe for maximum milk production is efficient and frequent breastfeeding or expressing, plenty of fluids, adequate calories, and good rest. There can be no milk if you don’t breastfeed. Mothers must continually see the better side of breastfeeding as being beneficial to them, and also as being protective against breast and other cancers. Breastfeeding is more than food, it’s a buffet.
