Vedic literature and Ayurveda highlights the importance of breastfeeding and signifies breastmilk as the elixir of life. Breastfeeding is best feeding and contains all the essential nutrients required by an infant during the early months of life. Breast milk acts as a passage for transfer of the antibodies and fighter cells from the mother to the infant. Breastmilk contains all that babies generally need: proteins, fats, lactose, vitamins, iron, minerals, water, enzymes and even stem cells in the exact amounts required for the optimal growth and development. Breastmilk is a wonder tonic that strengthens the child’s immunity and helps the baby to grow at the adapted rate. According to WHO, new-borns must be ideally breastfed for more than a period of six months for their healthy growth and a more strengthened immune system, the first six months being exclusive breastfeeding (no water, no other liquid nor solids).
The quintessential concern of a new lactating mother is to establish the first hour contact with her baby. This early hour breastfeeding is the first source of nutrition for the child. Generally, women are not aware of this first hour breastfeeding and tend to throw away the colostrum. Colostrum, the first milk, thick, sticky, yellow or orange liquid, has a large number of important nutrients and is actually essential for a new-born.
According to a survey conducted by Medela on breastfeeding trends in India, 32.4% of women start breastfeeding within the first hour in Delhi NCR. There have been two major myths associated with the culture. First that of pre-lactial feeds (mixture of honey and ghee to new-borns for energy and easier acceptance of feeds) is better, whereas they actually lead to infection and delays the initiation of breastfeeding. And second that destroying the first milk i.e. colostrum is preferable. Feeding mother’s milk or colostrum in the first hour gives baby a healthy start to fight against malnutrition and common infections later in life.
The Lancet medical journal has also shown that breastfeeding has the highest impact interventions. For India it could reduce 156,000 child deaths, thus rapidly bringing down Infant Mortality Rates which is a major concern for the Government. It can reduce 39, 00,000 episodes of diarrhoea and 34, 36,560 episodes of pneumonia, which means reducing a load on our ailing health system.
According to Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India, India ranks the lowest among South Asian countries in breastfeeding rates. Factors like lesser maternity leaves, career goals, inadequate family support, public shaming etc., pose as a difficulty for mothers to continue breastfeeding in a widespread manner.
A large segment of new mothers today are finding themselves caught between responsibilities of motherhood and that of the workplace. The biggest challenge for new mothers is managing work and motherhood alongside. But this is not all. Breastfeeding can be painful in the initial days, the baby’s weight is closely monitored which puts a lot of pressure on the mother. With hormones kicking in, pressure from family and friends, and less access to proper medical support, mothers tend to top feed their baby which is unadvisable. In Delhi NCR, 41.62% of women introduce top milk within the first 3 months as they find it easier and more convenient than breastfeeding.
It is important to understand that artificial milk can never match the importance and benefits of mother’s milk. As magical as it is, mother’s milk is unique and its composition varies daily to answer the specific need of that unique baby…
Therefore, breastfeeding should be the only dietary intake for a child for the first six months.
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