Breastfeeding Week: Experts Share How Breastfeeding Helps You and Your Child?

World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), held in the first week of August every year, is a global campaign supported by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF and many Ministries of Health and civil society partners on the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. This initiative was started in 1992 to encourage mothers to breastfeed their children and build a support community for new mothers who face any difficulties in breastfeeding.

Why Did We Need An Awareness Week?

Dr Sangeetha Rao TP, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist who has been practising for the last 13 years says that due to the lack of support from healthcare providers or family, physical challenges like latching difficulties, societal pressures, and misinformation around breastfeeding, many mothers stopped breastfeeding their babies. “Mothers often have the perception that their infant is not satisfied by breast milk alone. Mothers' concerns about lactation and nutrition issues are the most frequently cited reasons for stopping breastfeeding during the first two months,” says Dr Nisha Kapoor, who is the Director and Head of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery at Marengo Asia Hospitals.

Gynaecologist, obstetrician and founder of Baby Soon Fertility and IVF Center, Dr Jyoti Bali with 26 years of experience says, “A reason why some mothers stopped breastfeeding was because of the increased marketing of formula as a convenient solution compared to breastfeeding.”

Experts agree that women undergo physical changes in their bodies during their pregnancy and while breastfeeding too, however, these have been exaggerated. “Breastfeeding can lead to temporary changes in breast size and shape, but these changes are typically normal and revert to baseline after weaning. Perceptions about breastfeeding causing long-term body changes are often unscientific or exaggerated,” says Dr Rao.

These were some of the reasons why women stopped breastfeeding and thus an initiative like World Breastfeeding Week was started. This also aims to highlight the health benefits to the mother and the child on breastfeeding.

Benefits of Breastfeeding on Mother

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure a child's health and survival. As per WHO, moms should initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and continue breastfeeding for the first 6 months.

Rao says that for the mother, it helps in faster postpartum recovery, reduces the risk of certain cancers, and can help with postpartum weight loss.

“Breast Feeding helps the mothers to shed their pregnancy weight more quickly because the production of milk requires the burning of calories,” agrees Dr Bali.

Other health benefits to mothers are postpartum healing, bonding with the baby and a decrease in the risk of ovarian cancer, mentions Dr Bali.

Breastfeeding Benefits on Baby

“IgA, IgG, and IgM are among the special proteins and antibodies found in breast milk that are absent from baby formulae. By covering the lining of the baby's developing intestines, these immunoglobulins provide passive immunity, shielding the youngster from potential infections and pathogens,” says Dr Neerja Goel, a senior obstetrician and gynaecologist with 45 years of experience.

There are also nutritional values that help a preterm baby in his or her development. “For example, breast milk's higher protein content makes it easier for premature babies to absorb and digest than formula, which encourages better weight gain. Premature babies often have specific nutritional needs due to their early birth. Breast milk provides a tailored balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that support their rapid growth and development. The composition of breast milk adjusts to meet the changing needs of a preterm infant, including higher levels of certain nutrients,” says Dr Goel.

Dr Bali also points out that breast milk contains antibodies, probiotics and DHA and ARA, a kind of fatty acids that are required for brain development. Thus, a baby can benefit a great deal from breastfeeding.

Health Risks When Not Breastfeeding

“Infants, not being breastfed is associated with an increased incidence of infectious morbidity as well as elevated risks of childhood obesity and diabetes. For mothers, failure to breastfeed is associated with an increased incidence of premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer, retained gestational weight gain, Type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome,” points out Dr Ashutosh Sarwa, a health expert in Maternal, Newborn and Child Health & Nutrition at Nutrition International.

Poor breastfeeding practices in infancy and early childhood, resulting in malnutrition, contribute to impaired cognitive and social development, poor school performance and reduced productivity in later life.

Sarwa points out that psychological factors like stress, anxiety, postpartum depression, poor latch due to anatomical issues or improper positioning, and other medical conditions are the common reasons for this. “Identification and management of the specific cause, appropriate counselling by a healthcare provider, support (emotional and workplace both) and alternative feeding options,” he says.

Unable To Breastfeed Your Child? Here is What You Can Do

There are now Breastmilk banks which can provide breast milk for your child. Breastmilk banks provide a vital resource for infants who cannot receive breast milk from their mothers, such as preterm or ill babies.

Do not be worried about its safety, Dr Rao says that donated milk is screened, pasteurised, and distributed to ensure safety and nutrition.

Are You a Working Mother?

Breastfeeding can be successfully managed for a working mother who must spend lengthy hours away from her child by combining pumping and conserving breast milk.

“Purchasing a superior electric breast pump can increase the effectiveness of the procedure. Maintaining a consistent pumping schedule—ideally, every three to four hours—helps keep the milk supply steady. Pumped milk can be refrigerated for up to four days if stored in sterile containers or bags that have been labelled with the date and time. Milk can be frozen and thawed for extended storage,” suggests Dr Goel.