Breast milk or breast milk is the first food for babies. For a mother, breastfeeding is not just giving food to her little one, but also a form of love and affection for her. So the recommendation to give exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continue until the age of 2 years is to strengthen the bond between Mother and Little One.
Now that the digital world is developing, there are more and more myths circulating about breast milk. Unfortunately, not all of this information is true. Sometimes there is correct information, but there is also much that actually makes you confused and worried. Come on, look at the facts and myths about breastfeeding that you need to know!
1. First breast milk
Myth:
Some say that first yellow breast milk is stale and must be thrown away.
Fact:
It is true that first milk is yellowish in color, but it is not as stale as we often hear. The first milk is called colostrum, which is the first milk that you produce during pregnancy and for several days after giving birth. This yellowish concentrated and concentrated liquid, very small in quantity, provides many benefits for babies. This part is very important and very good for your little one because it contains high levels of antibodies and immunoglobulins, so it can boost the baby's immunity.
Colostrum is rich in white blood cells which are able to fight bacterial and viral infections. So, colostrum is highly recommended to be given to babies from birth and then continued with exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months. So, don't throw it away, Mom!
2. Breast milk has not come out
Myth:
After giving birth, the milk has not come out? Give your little one other food.
Fact:
It is very natural, if after giving birth the milk has not come out or is not smooth. Don't worry, newborns still have food reserves that they carry from the womb for 2x24 hours. Stay calm and keep trying to stimulate the breasts so that the milk can come out. Don't be in a hurry to decide to give other foods to your little one. Because giving food other than breast milk can increase the risk of disruption of the baby's intestines that are still not ready. However, if a similar case occurs, you should still consult with experts.
3. ASI when Mother is sick
Myth:
If the mother is sick, the child will catch the disease, so the mother must stop breastfeeding.
Fact:
If you have a fever, cough, flu, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, you can transmit the disease through your mouth, but not through breast milk. Continuing breastfeeding is the best thing if the mother is sick, because the best protection for the baby from the disease suffered by the mother is to continue breastfeeding.
Breast infections, including abscesses, even if they are painful, are not a reason to stop breastfeeding. In addition, the infection that you experience will heal faster if you continue to breastfeed.
4. Small breasts, little milk?
Myth:
There is a lot of inaccurate information about the size of the mother's breasts, which is considered if they are small they will not produce enough milk.
Fact:
Generally, the size of the breast will change during pregnancy. Even if it doesn't change significantly, breast size is actually not related to how much milk is produced. Women with large breasts can also have difficulty breastfeeding. Mothers don't worry about the milk that will be produced, keep positive affirmations and try to increase the supply of milk for your little one.
Milk production itself follows the principle of supply and demand. The higher the baby's needs, the more milk production. The more often it is stimulated or given to the Little One, the more milk production will be. Conversely, the less frequently stimulated, the milk production will also decrease. Consuming breast milk boosters can also be an alternative to expedite breast milk. Breast milk facilitating foods such as katuk, spinach, and papaya fruit are highly recommended for nursing mothers
5. Give breast milk directly or through a bottle?
Myth:
Some say giving expressed breast milk (ASIP) through bottles should be avoided because it can make the child confused about the nipple so that the child does not want to suckle directly on the mother's breast.
Fact:
Mothers don't need to worry if they can't always give breast milk directly which requires the baby to drink ASIP from a bottle. The way that can be done so that the baby still wants to breastfeed directly and is also used to breastfeeding via a bottle is to alternately introduce bottles to babies at the age of 2-6 weeks. One day direct breastfeeding and one day bottle feeding. The baby will learn to suckle from the bottle without losing the ability to suckle from the breast. Don't forget to hold and hug the baby even though ASIP is given through a bottle.
There are many myths that have developed in society around breast milk and breastfeeding mothers. It's good that you don't swallow all the information you get. Make sure it's true, if necessary consult an expert. Happy loving!