Mother's milk is an ideal food that is completely adapted to the baby in terms of its composition and nutritional value," says specialist pediatrician Dr. Vjera Janković for "Vijesti", talking about the advantages of breastfeeding compared to artificial nutrition.
He emphasizes that mother's milk is also rich in immunoglobulins and is a perfect protection against infections.
"The initial mother's milk counts as the baby's first vaccine," says Dr. Janković.
He points out that, in addition to being sick less often, breastfed babies suffer less from allergic diseases or, on the other hand, they appear later.
"We should not forget the economic advantages either, mother's milk is cheaper than artificial milk, and by a lot," says Dr. Janković.
When asked until which month of life one should breastfeed, he says that the world recommendations are that a baby should be breastfed for 6 months, without adding other types of food and drinks.
"After that period, a non-dairy diet is introduced, and breastfeeding continues at least until the first year of life, and it is recommended even after that period."
About the characteristics of mother's milk, he says that it has an ideal ratio of water and dry matter.
"These are small molecules adapted to digestion and resorption in the baby's sensitive and immature gastrointestinal tract," says Dr. Janković, noting that no matter how much technology we try to make artificial milk like mother's, it cannot be completely successful.
"Some substances can only be produced naturally, and cannot be synthesized artificially," he says.
He also points out that mother's milk is always ready, hygienically and thermally, while artificial milk has to be prepared and can easily deviate from the norm.
"The baby's body weight is ideal on mother's milk, and obesity often starts on artificial nutrition," says Dr. Janković.
Babies happy and satisfied
Breast milk is not only important for the physical health of the baby. There are multiple benefits for the psychological health of the child.
"It is not only food, but also emotional closeness and security, which researches have shown, that such children are more stable and confident in themselves. In addition to emotional stability, such children are also more intelligent, due to one amino acid that is needed for brain development, which is not found in artificial milk. Babies on mother's milk, because of all the well-being it brings them, are happy and satisfied and have good predispositions to be such adults as well", says Dr. Janković.
About how many times a day a baby should be breastfed and for how long, neonatologist Dr. Envera Lekić says that, in addition to optimal health of the mother and child, important prerequisites for successful breastfeeding are the first feeding within 2 hours after birth, breastfeeding as often as possible, at the request of the newborn and nurturing night breastfeeding for the newborn.
"You should not look at the clock, nor strictly adhere to the time intervals between two milkings. In the first week after childbirth, milk production depends mostly on sucking," says Dr. Lekić.
"Sucking stimulation and the amount of milk that is emptied increases the amount and speed of new milk production. In this way, the baby models the production of milk according to its needs", she states.
He notes that the number of feedings in the first week after birth can be from 6 to 10 times, from 2 to 4 weeks 6-8 times, in the second month 6 times, from 3 to 4 months 5-6 times, in 5-6 months 5 times , up to 12 months 4 times. "The duration of breastfeeding depends on the amount of milk and the speed with which it flows, the strength and alertness of the baby, so it can last from 10 to 30 minutes," says Lekić.
"Newborns with a smaller body mass suck much more slowly, so the duration of breastfeeding can last up to 45 minutes. There are no rules. Each newborn has individual needs in terms of the number of feedings and the duration of feedings," she emphasizes.
Dr. Lekić points out that mothers who breastfeed recover faster from childbirth, have a lower risk of postpartum hemorrhage, are less likely to suffer from postpartum depression, reduce the risk of premenopausal breast and ovarian cancer, and are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis. Breastfeeding also brings a lower risk of anemia and better weight control after childbirth.
The most common prejudices
"In practice, very often and easily, individual decisions are made to add breast milk substitutes without justified medical indications and real need," says Dr. Lekić. She emphasizes that breastfeeding is not easy. "It is necessary to want to breastfeed, to have the right information and knowledge about all the benefits of breastfeeding for your baby, the support of your husband and family, as well as the support of society through national projects that encourage and help exclusive breastfeeding of a child from birth." He points out that there are a lot of misconceptions about breastfeeding, from those that are easily overcome to those that are difficult to give up.
"So often we come across 'milk can suddenly disappear', 'smaller breasts produce less milk', 'if you breastfeed often, milk can disappear', 'if the baby nurses at night, you have little milk', 'breastfeeding an older child from the age of one doesn't make any sense', 'children who breastfeed for a long time become attached to their mother and are insecure'". Dr. Lekić says that the phrase "mom has no milk" is also common.
"After stopping breastfeeding, there are big problems with inflammation of the mammary gland, abscess and the need for antimicrobial therapy or even surgical intervention".
Without support - a nightmare
Aleksandra Vujisić agreed to speak for "Vijesti" about her experience when it comes to breastfeeding and says that one of the most beautiful and healthiest things for a mother and newborn can very easily turn into a nightmare, "especially if you live in Montenegro, where there is a lack of professional help and support, and even in the first days after giving birth in the hospital, you are taught that the child must be 'supplemented' with formula".
Things can get complicated, especially if you listen to the stories of neighbors, aunts, and unfortunately also some medical workers
"After a few days, with constant reading about breastfeeding, constant support from my friend, I went to the pediatrician, of course, in a private practice, who convinced me that everything is fine with the baby, that breastfeeding needs a little time and that I should just continue as I started" , she says.
He states that things can get complicated, especially if you listen to the stories of neighbors, aunts, and unfortunately also some medical workers about how you don't have "enough" milk or it's not of good quality.
"After reading a lot of literature, I now know that a mother always has enough and her milk is always the best thing for a baby. Unfortunately, this does not apply to women with certain health problems", says Vujisić, noting that, nevertheless, it would be nice if she heard this from the obstetrics nurse. "Instead of getting a reprimanding look and the statement that I don't have milk, when I asked that my baby not be supplemented before delivery".
World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7
World Breastfeeding Week has been celebrated for 20 years in over 150 countries around the world, in the first week of August. The association "Parents" will celebrate breastfeeding Sunday on Saturday, August 4 in the Kruševac children's park, when those interested will have the opportunity to talk with experts in the fields of pediatrics, neonatology, oncology and prenatal care.
The theme of this year's World Breastfeeding Week is the 36,5th anniversary of the UNICEF and WHO Strategy for Young Children and Infants, which is considered crucial in increasing the rate of breastfeeding. Only 6 percent of babies in the world are exclusively breastfed until they reach the age of 18 months (only XNUMX percent in Montenegro).
Most countries have not yet adopted or not sufficiently introduced national strategies for child and infant nutrition, so the aim of this year's action is to draw the attention of governments to the introduction of these regulations.
During Breastfeeding Week, that association will present a poster with 13 facts about breastfeeding to the Clinical Center of Montenegro and health centers.
Bonus video:
