ABU DHABI // Doctors have highlighted the benefits of breast milk, and urged new mothers to give their babies the best start in life.
“Human milk provides virtually all the protein, sugar and fat your baby needs to be healthy,” said Dr Maya Prabhakaran, speaking as World Breastfeeding Week raises awareness of the vital role it plays in the lives of children.
The event is celebrated between August 1 and 7 in more than 170 countries.
“It contains many substances that benefit your baby’s immune system, including antibodies, immune factors, enzymes, and white blood cells,” said Dr Prabhakaran, a specialist paediatrician at LLH Hospital Abu Dhabi.
“These substances protect your baby against a wide variety of diseases and infections. Formula cannot offer this protection.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding starting within an hour after birth until a baby is six months old.
At six months, babies should be introduced to mashed solid foods coupled with breastfeeding up to the age of 2 or later.
Breastfeeding goes beyond basic nutrition. Breast milk is packed with substances that provides a defence against disease and infection, Dr Prabhakaran said.
“This defence against illnesses significantly decreases the chances that your breastfeeding baby will suffer from ear infections, vomiting, diarrhoea, pneumonia, urinary tract infections or certain types of spinal meningitis.”
Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer lower respiratory tract infection such as croup, bronchiolitis and pneumonia, or diarrhoeal diseases than those fed with formula.
Research also suggests breastfed babies have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome and are less likely to be obese in adolescence and adulthood, Dr Prabhakaran said.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), breastfeeding within the first hour of birth could save the lives of more than 1,500 children every day.
Despite this, fewer than half of the world’s newborns receive their mother’s milk, according to Anthony Lake, Unicef’s executive director.
The first few days of breastfeeding are crucial to its success, Dr Prabhakaran said. There are simple steps that new mothers struggling to breastfeed can follow.
The first is getting the baby to latch on successfully.
“A baby who latches on well gets milk well,” she said. “Before you leave the hospital, you should be shown that your baby is latched on properly and that you know how to know he is getting milk from the breast.
“The signs of correct nursing are that the baby’s chin and nose are resting against the breast, he has taken as much of the areola as possible into his mouth, he is suckling rhythmically and deeply, in short bursts separated by pauses and you can hear him swallowing regularly.”
Mother and baby should share a room for as long as possible, Dr Prabhakaran said.
“There is absolutely no medical reason for healthy mothers and babies to be separated from each other,” she said.
“The baby shows long before he starts crying that he is ready to feed. His breathing may change, for example. Or he may start to stretch.
“The mother, being in light sleep, will awaken, her milk will start to flow and the calm baby will be content to nurse.”
Corniche Hospital is also committed to the breastfeeding initiative.
“There are many, many many health benefits to breastfeeding,” said Gabriela Sha’at, a lactation consultant in the hospital.
“Breast milk provides ideal nutrition for optimal growth and development. Breastfed babies are generally healthier and have reduced risk of sickness, infections, allergies and developing chronic diseases as adults.
“For mothers, breastfeeding helps the womb to return to its normal size after birth, aids natural weight loss and reduces the risk of pre-menopausal breast and ovarian cancer.”
The hospital’s mother-to-mother breastfeeding group helps new and expectant mothers in the community with breastfeeding and parenting skills, she said.
This year Federal National Council members added a clause to the new Child Rights Law requiring new mothers to breastfeed their babies.
jbell@thenational.ae
