Slaying myths

“BREAST milk has all the nutrients babies need to stay healthy and grow,” says the United Nations Children’s Fund or Unicef. “It requires no mixing, sterilization or equipment. And it is always the right temperature.”

This safe and cost-free way to feed babies, though, is dogged by misconceptions.

The misconception that breastfed babies are fussy and always crying may stem from the mother not knowing the proper position to hold the infant or presenting only the nipple, instead of the entire areola, for sucking, said barangay health worker-peer counselors (BHW-PC) Miraflor Abacial of Basak, San Nicolas Brotherhood and Annelyn Batucal of Babag, Cebu City.

Public health midwife Susana Catarata and BHW-PC Analiza Binoya of Basak-Pardo Health Center said it is also a myth that an infant will catch a cold after taking in “stale” breast milk from a lactating mother who came from the outdoors.

In its Talking Points for National Nutrition Month 2011, the National Nutrition Council said breasts don’t produce spoiled or sour milk. It added:

Even in famine, breast is best. Malnourished and well-nourished mothers produce the same quality of milk.

Almost all mothers can produce enough milk if they feed the baby as needed. Those who can’t just lack knowledge on breastfeeding or confidence to do so. Breast size is unrelated to milk quantity. Breastfeeding won’t make breasts sag. It’s poor physical support during pregnancy and lactation that does.

Even tired mothers or those sick with common illnesses can breastfeed. Ill mothers will produce antibodies that will protect both mother and child.