Balancing work and breastfeeding: Nagaland needs human milk bank, says paediatrician

“Let’s make breastfeeding and work, work!”

DIMAPUR —  Women should not have to choose between breastfeeding their children and their work, is what the World Health Organisation (WHO) is campaigning this World Breastfeeding Week (August first week) on the theme “Let’s make breastfeeding and work, work!”

This year’s theme advocates providing essential maternity rights that support breastfeeding – maternity leave for a minimum of 18 weeks, ideally more than six months, and workplace accommodations after this point; these are urgent issues for ensuring that women can breastfeed as long as they wish to.

First milk, first immunisation

The milk produced during the first few days after delivery is called “Colostrum,” which is a special fluid. Though secretion is small in quantity for first three-four days, it is sufficient to meet the needs of the newborn baby, Dr. Chuba Kumzuk LCR, a paediatrician at Nagaland Multispecialty in Dimapur told Eastern Mirror.

The first milk contains more protein than the milk secreted later and is considered as the first immunisation for newborns as it is rich in anti-infective factors that help the baby against diarrhoea, respiratory and other infections. It is also rich in vitamin A and vitamin E, said the doctor.

On mothers with low breast milk, he said there are several common breast conditions or maternal illnesses which sometimes cause issue. Such problems can be overcome by careful guidance, reassurance and encouraging the mother during antenatal period to prepare for breast feeding and by providing skilled counselling after birth.

“A mother who is ill may perceive that her milk supply has gone down because of illness or may also believe that her milk will make the baby ill. These factors may lead to discontinuation of breast feeding,” he said while asserting that breast feeding should be continued even if mothers have minor illnesses such as cold and other mild viral infections.

Need for milk bank

However, for low milk supply or lactation failure, there are always alternatives. For instance, if a biological mother is unable to feed her baby due to lactation issue, the first alternative should be to feed the infant with human milk from other sources, he said.

The paediatrician also stressed on the need to have human milk banks, which will provide Pasteurised Donor Human Milk (PDHM),  in the state as the number of working mothers are increasing, so also the number of mothers going through lactation failure.

“As of 2021, there are 90 human milk banks in India, and providing services on priority, for instance, preterm babies and sick babies, babies of mothers with postpartum illnesses, babies whose mothers have lactation failure till their milk output improves,” he informed.

One of the major reasons for loss of interest in human milk banking in India is the promotion of milk formula by firms, he added.

Formula feeding myth

When asked about the talks surrounding formula feeding babies, he said it is a method of providing nourishment to infants. However, it is often met with a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings, feelings of guilt and shame for parents who choose to formula feed, despite the fact that it is safe and healthy option for the baby, said the doctor.

“I would like to elaborate a few misconceptions. For instance, (that) formula is not as nutritious as breast milk. Infant formula is carefully formulated to provide all the essential nutrients that a baby need to grow and thrive. All formulas need to have specific amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals to promote baby’s healthy growth and these amounts are tightly regulated by the Infant Milk Substitute Act (IMS Act 1992),” he clarified.

“Another misconception is formula feeding will reduce your bond with your baby. Bonding between a mother and baby is not determined by the method of feeding, but rather by the love and care provided by the parent, factors such as skin to skin contact and facial recognition,” he added.

Foods during breastfeeding

Dr. Kumzuk said that food like bean, broccoli, cauliflower and some dairy products can cause fussiness, bloating, or colicky behaviour in some babies. Allergenic foods like cow milk, soy, eggs, nuts and peanuts, shellfish should be avoided. Caffeine, alcohol and tobacco products also should to be avoided, he said.

‘Breast feeding mothers need around 500 or more calories a day, but one doesn’t need a special breast feeding diet. What you eat does need to be nutritionally balanced,’ he said.

Taking plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains such as oats, brown rice and cereals and breads labelled “wholegrain, wholemeal, whole wheat” are to be taken. As for non vegetarians, salmons, sardines and chicken breasts are also good for breastfeeding moms.

Breastfeeding at workplace

Both the government and the private sectors support mothers by granting full pay maternity leave for six months. But even if you have to rejoin work after two-three months, the doctor opined that one can continue to breastfeed her baby through different methods.

Expressed breast milk (EBM) can be kept in a clean steel container for four-six hours at room temperature and around 24 hours in the refrigerator. But before feeding the EBM, bring the milk to room temperature by keeping the steel container in warm water, he said.

“If crèche is available at the working place, one can feed the baby in the office (during break time). If the working place is near your residence, taking nursing breaks is a good option and after returning home, one can continue the breast feed, this will ensure a continuous supply of milk for the baby,” he shared.

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