World Breastfeeding Week: Expert busts 10 myths about breastfeeding

By Daphne Clarance: Experts can’t stress this enough – breastfeeding is essential for the health of both the mother and the baby. In India, 55 per cent of children under six months are breastfed and more strides need to be made for all children to thrive.

Breastfeeding is the gold standard feeding option for newborns. However, as per experts, the practice has seen a decline because of many myths associated with it.

Dr Bela Makhija, Senior Director (Obs & Gynae) & Head of Unit, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital told IndiaToday.in about misconceptions many expectant mothers and new mothers have about breastfeeding.

• Body and figure will be ruined: "This is not true. The breasts enlarge and you may gain weight after delivery, but with proper exercise and the right diet you can very easily come back to your pre-pregnancy weight if you breastfeed as you exercise," said Dr Bela Makhija.
• Another misconception about breastfeeding includes, “How can I exercise if I am breastfeeding?”: Exercise does produce lactic acid but within one hour it is eliminated from your body, so you can feed one hour after exercising, the expert cleared the air.

• A myth that Dr Bela Makhija said is that many women who undergo caesarean delivery feel they can’t feed their babies. "The pain in your stitches may trouble you for a few days but you can take a tab of paracetamol, get into a comfortable position and feed your baby,” Dr Makhija said.
• 'I have bad nipples, so I can’t breastfeed': During your antenatal check, your doctor will tell you how to deal with it but if they have not improved, you should use a nipple shield or a breast pump.

• Breast pump milk is not good. “There is no difference in the quality of the milk, it is best for the baby to latch on. But if sometimes it does not happen, alternatives are used,” added Dr Makhija.
• ‘I cannot eat the food of my choice because I am breastfeeding’: You can eat almost everything although some food and medicines do flavour the milk and your baby may not like that flavour. "Some fish like tuna, shark, and swordfish have a high mercury content and should be avoided, but most freshwater fish do not cause any harm,” added Dr Makhija.

• ‘I will go into depression if I have to keep feeding my baby’: This is not true. “In fact, it has been seen that depression is less amongst women who breastfeed because of the joy of bonding and affection with the baby,” the expert said.
• ‘How can I feed my baby if I have a fever’: You only need to tell your doctor that you are a nursing mother and you will be prescribed medication accordingly. “There are very few medical conditions in which breastfeeding may be contraindicated. For normal common slight fever you can take paracetamol and keep feeding the baby,” she said.

• ‘I work, how can I feed my baby?’: You can feed the baby when you are at home. Express the milk and keep it in a sterile bottle in the fridge and it can be used during the day.
• ‘Can I get pregnant when I feed?’: “Sometimes it is possible, it depends on how soon your hormones return to normal and you begin to have your periods. So it is always better to use contraception if you wish to avoid pregnancy,” said Dr Makhija.