BREAST milk is generally recognised as the optimal feeding for infants because of its proven health benefits for babies and their mothers.
Talking during World Breastfeeding Week, which runs from 1 to 7 August, Dr Leneque Lindeque, obstetrician and gynaecologist reiterates this by highly recommending that women breastfeed their babies for at least a year if possible.
‘For the first six months, breastmilk is the only food a baby needs – in fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
‘Thereafter, most doctors recommend that breastfeeding continues while babies can also start consuming other foods.
‘There are several reasons why some women decide not to breastfeed. Some mothers may think that it is easier to feed their baby with formula milk or they may be embarrassed to breastfeed.
‘Many women also face financial pressures to return to work before the recommended six-month exclusive breastfeeding period, and they may feel that it is difficult to continue breastfeeding under such circumstances.
‘Breastfeeding holds a multitude of benefits for mother and baby and even for the greater community and it is beneficial to breastfeed, even if a mother can breastfeed only for a short time the benefits last even after breastfeeding has stopped.’
Dr Lindeque says many mothers are unduly concerned that they will not produce enough breastmilk but it is safe to say that most healthy women can produce enough breastmilk.
‘There are certain circumstances when women are unable to produce sufficient breastmilk.
‘This may be when they are tired or sick, have a great deal of stress, take certain medicines, smoke or do not breastfeed enough.’
Women who have difficulties in producing sufficient milk should talk to their doctors as there are certain options available to aid with the production of milk.
Breastfeeding benefits for the community
• Breastfed babies are less likely to get sick, therefore moms are likely to take less days off work and medical costs for the family are likely to be less
• It is good for the earth as fewer dairy cows, which are necessary for the production of infant formula, are required.
Even though this may sound strange, cows release enormous amounts of methane into the atmosphere, thereby contributing to global warming.
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