The elixir of life
WHEN you hear or read the word “breasts”, what is the first thought that comes to mind? For some people, the very word may draw up an image of a raunchy magazine cover or celebrities posing provocatively in movie posters.
Over the years, women’s breasts have been heavily sexualised in mainstream media – perhaps even normalised in that way – to the point that humans seem to have forgotten that a mother’s breasts are supposed to be a source of food for her child and the reason we are classified as mammals.
Derived from the Latin word mamma, which means breast, “mammal” is defined by the Cambridge English Dictionary as “any animal of which the female feeds her young one milk from her own body.”
This unsolicited sexualisation of breasts has diverted the focus from this primary function, leading to social stigmas that are costing infants and mothers around the globe their health.
Freedom from stigma
“Breastfeeding in public is the main challenge nursing mothers face as it is frowned upon in many countries, including Malaysia, even though most women are discreet in how they go about it.
“This is the reason most women look for private spaces to nurse,” says Gina Yong, breastfeeding consultant and founder of The Breastfeeding Advocates Network, a support group that encourages and teaches families about breastfeeding.
However, infrastructure conducive to breastfeeding is still lacking. An exclusively breastfed baby needs to feed every two to three hours. Yong says, “There are not enough feeding rooms to begin with and even if a mother manages to find one, it is often already in use.”
In such instances, many mothers choose public washrooms as their go-to place to breastfeed, away from prying eyes.
To put things in perspective, have you ever tried eating in a toilet cubicle? If the mere thought grosses you out, imagine how mothers everywhere feel when they try to breastfeed their babies in public washrooms. It is not only disgusting but unhygienic for the baby as well.
This lack of public empathy and proper infrastructure is the biggest reason many women decide to give up on nursing.
Although various international organisations have taken it upon themselves to hold “breast is best”-type campaigns to spread awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding, it will get us nowhere until we go out of our way to create a world where women feel comfortable nursing their babies anywhere.
Yong, who is a mother of four, advises, “Malaysia needs to normalise breastfeeding by educating people about it at the grassroots, such as in science classes at schools and Malaysian mothers need to start nursing in public to desexualise it.”
She believes that the government has a role to play as well, saying, “In some countries, breastfeeding in public is protected by law. Malaysia needs to enforce the same.”
Choosing the right way
Yong opines that when it comes to making a choice between nursing and formula-feeding an infant, social stigma is just one of the reasons that pushes new mothers towards making misinformed decisions.
Another factor is the lack of awareness, knowledge and proper support, such as:
Negative self-image – Breastfeeding can lead to sagging of the breasts and this can deter women who are conscious about their body image from breastfeeding.
Unsupportive spouses – Spouses play an important role in supporting expecting mothers and boosting their morale. A mother could potentially choose to not breastfeed if it means not having the affection of her spouse or if he has a negative attitude towards breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding in public is the main challenge nursing mothers face as it is frowned upon in many countries, including Malaysia, even though most women are discreet in how they go about it. Gina Yong
Sore nipples, engorgement and mastitis – Some first-time mothers face a lot of difficulty when it comes to breastfeeding, such as experiencing sore nipples and engorgement. Others may, in more serious cases, develop mastitis – a painful infection of the breasts that needs to be treated with antibiotics.
Post-partum depression – One of the least discussed and unaddressed issues surrounding motherhood, post-partum depression can lead new mothers to withdraw from their infants and refuse to breastfeed. Mothers who undergo drug treatment sometimes give up breastfeeding for fear of passing on the medication they take to their babies through breast milk.
As these are issues that can be resolved with proper guidance and counselling, Yong suggests, “Hospitals and medical practitioners can be more supportive of breastfeeding and strive to educate new mothers and their families about the benefits of nursing.”
Penalties we must pay
The consequences of not breastfeeding have far-reaching effects on infants and mothers, and society needs to understand the dangers.
According to an article titled World Breastfeeding Week 2018 by World Health Organization, the lives of at least 823,000 children under five years old could be saved each year if breastfeeding practices were improved worldwide.
In fact, the risk of a leading cause of infant mortality – sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – reduces significantly with breastfeeding, as reported in a Reuters article titled Breastfeeding at least two months tied to lower SIDS risk.
Besides that, breastfeeding reduces the risk of infant diarrhoea and respiratory infections.
In communities that have limited access to basic health facilities and clean water, breast milk guarantees an accessible and safe source of nutritious food while also protecting infants from disease.
A 2013 publication by World Health Organization titled Long-term effects of breastfeeding: A systematic review found that although the benefits of nursing dilute as the baby grows older, infants who breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and with supplements for at least two years grow up with lower risks of developing certain diseases such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure than infants who are formula-fed from the beginning.
New mothers beware
The adverse effects of not nursing or giving it up early can affect mothers as well. Yong warns, “Mothers who do not breastfeed are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.”
A 2002 study titled Breast cancer and breastfeeding: collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries, including 50302 women with breast cancer and 96973 women without the disease published in
The Lancet bears witness to the reality of Yong’s statement. The research found that for every 12 months of breastfeeding, a mother’s risk of developing breast cancer was lowered by 4.3%.
Additionally, a 2013 study titled Ovarian cancer risk is reduced by prolonged lactation: a case-control study in southern China published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirms that women who breastfeed for more than 13 months have a lower risk of developing ovarian cancer.
“Another benefit of breastfeeding is the release of the hormone oxytocin that induces contractions in the uterus, which is essential for expelling lochia (vaginal discharge after giving birth),” Yong adds.
Apart from health benefits, nursing has psychological benefits for mother and baby. For instance, oxytocin – known as the love hormone or cuddle hormone – can lower the risk of post-partum depression in women.
For babies, the psychological benefits are instantaneous and long-standing. Yong explains, “Mothers can easily calm a toddler down by nursing because for older children, nursing can be a form of security.”
Also worth mentioning is the unique bond that is fostered during the act, which has a long-term effect on the mental well-being of the baby.
Mother Nature fashioned women’s bodies to be able to create and nurture life. It is our obligation henceforth to ensure that future generations are not denied the benefits of being nursed with breast milk – a foundation of good early childhood health.