THE DOCTOR IS IN
94 08/2019
THE DECISION TO BREASTFEED
can give your baby the best possible
start in life. While that’s true, it’s still an
intimate and personal choice—and there
are many factors that can weigh on a
mother’s decision. In healthcare, we can
guide parents to recognize the benefits
breastfeeding brings to both mother
and child, but we must also respect and
support women for whom breastfeeding
is not possible or is not the best choice.
According to UNICEF, 24% of
babies in Vietnam are breastfed (either
exclusively or with formula feeding)
up to the age of six months—higher
than the overall global rate. The official
recommendation from the WHO is
that women are advised to breastfeed
exclusively for the baby’s first six months
of life, without the need for additional
solid food or fluids, including water.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk
of many diseases that are a threat
to infants, including Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome (by 36%); middle ear
infection (otitis media), allergic rhinitis,
and childhood leukemia (by about 18%).
There are also some studies that show
children who are breastfed tend to have
a higher IQ, and are less likely to be
obese or overweight in adolescence and
adulthood.
The benefits to the mother include
a reduced risk of pre- and post-
menopausal breast cancer (because of
the reduced exposure to estrogen) and
a reduced risk of ovarian cancer. These
benefits increase with longer periods of
breastfeeding.
It’s usually considered best for
mother and baby to experience close
skin contact immediately after birth
to trigger a bond that also helps to
stimulate the production of breast milk.
After giving birth, it takes about two or
three days for the milk to come in to the
breast. The first milk that comes in is
something called colostrum, a creamyyellow liquid containing high levels of
antibodies—which are proteins that
fight infections and bacteria. Babies
only drink about 5–10 mls of it, after
which the breast milk begins to be
produced in its normal form.
Normally when a baby suckles,
the first part of the milk taken will be
more watered down. Milk with a higher
fat and nutritive content comes in at
the end. It’s often recommended that
breastfeeding mothers should make
sure that they are allowing their baby
to stay on long enough to get what
they need and not switch too early, so
that the baby is getting the creamy fat
content at the end.
It’s unfortunate that some mothers
do experience significant challenges
in feeding their babies that can be
overwhelming, especially in the absence
of professional help from a midwife or
lactation consultant.
Around 30% of women willBreast milk is the best food you can
offer your new baby