The Philippine Online Chronicles

It’s Women’s Month so let’s talk about breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding?

That is just the thing! Most articles and campaigns on breastfeeding focus on the benefits for the baby, seemingly trivializing the concerns and compromises a woman has to make. The unfortunate result of this is that many women fail to make the connection that, as they invest in their child’s health, they likewise do the same for themselves.

Allow me then to discuss some of the more common breastfeeding myths and issues with the woman, not the mother, in mind.

Breastfeeding hurts.

Why subject our breasts to constant pain when we have been lobbying against abuse for centuries? It sounds overstated but that is really how some women feel. The fact is that breastfeeding does hurt initially, as the breasts get used to the constant stimulation. It will also hurt badly when you’re doing it wrong.

A perfect latch requires that the baby is sucking from both nipple and some area of the areola so that the breast is stimulated, not just to eject milk, but to make more milk. A bad latch, on the other hand, will result in cracked nipples while backaches and tired arms are products of bad positioning.

Women with small breasts won’t have enough milk.

Salma Hayek nursed an African baby. Nicole Kidman marvelled about how breastfeeding gave her curves where a flat chest used to be. Our very own Bianca Araneta-Elizalde reported having so much supply that she thought she could feed all of Africa. These are examples of different-sized breasts that all got to breastfeed because each breast, big or small, has the same mechanism in place to allow for milk production.

Breasts that are either too small or too big could pose latching and positioning problems but through constant stimulation from direct feeding and pumping, as well as proper diet and enough rest, adequate milk supply will be established.

Breastfeeding results in saggy breasts.

Considering women’s body issues, this is a legitimate concern. However, studies have proven that breastfeeding does not result in saggy breasts; pregnancy does. Hormones during pregnancy basically prepare the skin to stretch, thereby increasing breast sagging for every consecutive pregnancy.

Other factors affecting skin elasticity that result in saggy breasts include age, genes, pre-pregnancy breast size, and amount of weight gain/loss after each pregnancy. One other culprit that has been linked to saggier boobs is smoking, which breaks down elastin, the protein in the skin that gives skin its youthful appearance.

Inability to breastfeed is hereditary.

A common story we hear during breastfeeding seminars is that expectant moms are being discouraged from breastfeeding by their own mothers, aunts and grandmothers, citing the fact that they never could and, so can’t she.

In reality, breast size and inverted nipples are hereditary but not the inability to breastfeed. It is often the lack of right information, support group and attitude that makes mothers quit even before they are ahead, and not the lack of milk supply and medical limitations with either the mother or child. Fortunately, many other mothers with family members who did not breastfeed have gone on to successfully do so.

Breastfeeding limits a mother’s diet.

True - breastfeeding will force a woman to make healthier changes in her diet and lifestyle, otherwise, her milk may run out. However, unless either mother or child (or both) has special needs (allergies or other conditions), a mother can basically eat everything she likes, or nothing of what she doesn’t like. She does not even need to drink milk if she doesn’t want to, so long as she gets her calcium requirements from other dairy products.

Except for serious illnesses like cancer and HIV/AIDS, most illnesses have medication and treatment choices that are conducive for breastfeeding. So yes, it is generally safe to continue breastfeeding while ill.

Breastfeeding limits public outings.

Woe to the woman who can’t go shopping, or just take a breath of fresh air, because she has an infant. Then again, breastfeeding need not limit public outings and stifle a woman’s social life if she has the right attitude, information and accessory.

There is nothing wrong about breastfeeding a hungry child in public so it really shouldn’t embarrass the mother (or the father). It also promotes awareness in others that breastfeeding is doable. Practicing in front of the mirror will help the mother realize that she is not as exposed as she believes she would be, because the child’s head will be essentially covering her breast.

As for exposed cleavages and, worse, tummies riddled with stretch marks, ‘mompreneurs’ have come up with a slew of breastfeeding accessories for that. Think breastfeeding covers, slings, wraps and other nursing wear. One can now even attend a wedding in a very formal, very stylish gown that allows easy access to the breasts.

Mall moguls have also started investing in breastfeeding stations and breast pumps are a working mom’s best friend.

Women can’t smoke or drink anymore if they breastfeed.

First of all, smoking is a source of a multitude of ills, both for man and woman, so it will always be discouraged. Secondly, it is still much better for a woman to continue breastfeeding than to stop while continuing to smoke. She will not reap much of breastfeeding’s benefits but what she does reap will at least offset the damage smoking brings to her body. Breastfeeding her child will also counteract the harmful effects of second-hand smoke to the baby.

With regard to alcoholic drinks, nursing moms are free to down the occasional alcoholic drink (12-ounce beer or 4-ounce glass of wine or 1-ounce hard liquor) after she has breastfed and at least two hours before she does so again. She also has the option to express milk before partying, drink, and then pump and dump. In the interim, her baby can enjoy her expressed breast milk without worries of alcohol contaminating the milk she gives her child.

Wait, breastfeeding benefits mothers?

Seriously, yes! And I am not talking about savings in formula either.

Breastfeeding benefits child spacing since it generally delays ovulation. However, as a natural family planning method, breastfeeding is only effective if 1) baby is exclusive breastfed; 2) baby is six months old and younger; and 3) mother has not had her period yet.

Breastfeeding helps post-partum weight loss, facilitating the return to pre-pregnancy weight for most mothers. Those who complain of having gained weight post-pregnancy despite breastfeeding however have stress eating to blame.

Breastfeeding decreases the chances of women developing osteoporosis by up to four times lower.

Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancers, (all leading causes of death in women in the country) which is partly attributed to the lower oestrogen levels during lactation.

Lastly, the greatest benefit of all is the promotion of emotional health in the mother. Nursing mothers have been reported to show less postpartum anxiety and depression compared to non-breastfeeding ones. This is probably due to the fact that nursing mothers hold their child all the time which facilitates the bonding process between mother and child.

Such closeness provides the mother a more tangible reason for all the sacrifices she has made and will be making. And the rewards, like a smile, are always immediate.

Breastfeeding is a sacrifice and women who will breastfeed require much support. But it is an investment in your own well-being. The life you save may not just be your child’s, but your own as well.

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Breastfeeding advocate Jenny Ong shares a directory for breastfeeding support and information in her blog. Some of the groups are listed here:

L.A.T.C.H.

Peer Counsellor Warmline (0917) 532-5643

LATCH counselors offer lactation counseling/support via phone, e-mail or home visits; conduct breastfeeding talks at the Medical City every other month (there is one this March 13, 2010); train hospital staff for breastfeeding support and other women to serve as breastfeeding peer counselors.

The Breastfeeding Group

Abbie Yabot conducts home visits, counseling, and training. She also manages the breastfriends@yahoogroups.com e-group.

La Leche League Philippines/Best Friends in Breastfeeding                 

Cris Nicandro Rosenthal, U.S. Certified Doula (Birthing/Labor Coach), Breastfeeding Advocate and La Leche League Leader holds breastfeeding meetings every second Saturday of the month at the Parish Hall of Mary the Queen Church in San Juan, Metro Manila (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.); contact (0917)894-1099 / 725-0776 / 721-9388

Arugaan
Nanay Ines Fernandez 02-4905452 or Velvet C. Escario-Roxas - +63-915-7741614 provide counseling service for breastfeeding mothers, infant nutrition and mother-baby friendly alternatives; Nanay Ines also operates a breastfeeding-friendly day care at #2 Starlight cor. Vista St., SSS Village, Marikina CityTel: +632-4905452 or 4263918

Medela Moms
29 1st St., New Manila 
725-3723, 738-6272; 0917-5614366 
Maricel Cua and Beng Feliciano, official Philippine distributors of Medela products, have opened a showroom and breastfeeding clinic complete with breastfeeding reference books; workshops are also sometimes conducted there.

Breastfeeding Philippines
The Breastfeeding Clinic, TESDA Women’s Center 
East Service Road, South Super Highway, Taguig, Metro Manila 
444-4716; 271-0954 or 0919839-5555                  

Dr. Elvira Henares-Esguerra and Nona Andaya-Castillo run the Philippine Lactation Resource and Training Center which focuses on breastfeeding support and parenting classes.

Photos: "Our Lady of La Leche" by author. Some Rights Reserved / “[HAT] Salma Hayek Flores v1.5” by Héctor A. Tablero, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved