Breast Feeding

To many mothers, especially new ones, this is the first challenge she needs to go through. To some, breast feeding is challenging, to some, it's just second nature. More than often, there are many questions by my patients asking about breast feeding or EBM (expressed breast milk). I hope I can share something over here maybe to clear some confusion and myths about breast feeding.

Breast milk is always the best for our babies. This is a fact and no doubt about that. All parents want to give the best to our children and therefore many try hard to breast feed. Some fail, some succeed wonderfully.

The commonest problem in breast feeding is latching and positioning. Many fail in breast feeding because of poor attachment and position. I will not be able to tell how to position and attach here because of obvious reasons, so, for those that want to know proper way of breast feeding, you need to get yourself a lactational nurse.

Next question is, when to stop breast feeding? Never! As long a women lactate, then breast feeding continues. In Malaysia, i've seen children at 6 yrs old still want their mother's breast, and of course, this 6 yrs old will have to 'fight' with his/her younger sibling for the breast!
The minimal duration of feeding is 6 months. The reason is simple, that is because children start weaning at 6 months. If your child don't wean at 6 months, then you need to start doing it! It's abnormal to just drink milk alone, let alone, the breast without any weaning.  Take note, that I didnt say stop breast feeding, it's weaning on top of breast feeding!

Working  mothers has got lots of problems in feeding their children. They got to work and by the time they are back home, they either too busy with cooking or house chores or just too tired. When they are at work, they can't bring their newborn to work! Though some employers allow their workers do that, something that I must commend.
Working mothers can choose to express their breast milk, then store in the fridge. When the time comes, the care giver will just need to bring it out from the fridge and thaw it. Remember to put them in separate containers, each containers have adequate amount of milk for ONE feed. Never refrigerate a thawed milk.

Expressed breast milk (EBM) can be given in few ways. Either using small cups or bottle. Some hospital uses syringe for small premature babies! Cups are good so that, the baby will be able to suck from the cup and swallow. Bottle does the same too, however, there will be one greatest problem with those babies that bottle and breast fed, NIPPLE CONFUSION. The nipple of a bottle is artificial and most nipples are silicon and they flow milk even without sucking! So the clever child will want to be lazy, to get milk without sucking too! When these bottle fed babies are put back to the breast, they refuses to latch. If this occur, then it will be very unfortunate. It will be very difficult to put the child back on the breast if this occur. If this occur, the we have to settle for the 2nd best, that is EBM and feed with bottle.

Nipple confusion don't occur every time.
Working mothers need to frequently express milk too. Ideally every 2-3 hrs. So, mothers will need to excuse themselves from work every 2-3 hrs and start expressing. This will prevent 2 things
1) reduction of milk production
2) prevent engorgement of the breast, that subsequently will lead to infection (ie mastitis)

I hope this short note will help lactating mothers and feel free to drop comments!