From TODAY, Health
Tuesday August 12, 2008
WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK
HPB advises breastfeeding as long as ‘mutually desired’
Picture: Many Singaporean mothers don’t bother to breastfeed or give up on it because of traditional beliefs, myths or incorrect advice from the older generation. TODAY file photo
EVELINE GAN
eveline@mediacorp.com.sg
YOU’RE not feeding him enough milk. Look, he’s hungry again. Formula is better. This was what well-meaning relatives told firsttime mum, Elaine Chan, when she was breastfeeding her newborn son.
“I was set on breastfeeding, but my in-laws had some misconceptions about it. This caused some friction in the family during the early months,” said the 29-yearold technical assistant.
As in Elaine’s case, such scenarios are not uncommon among breastfeeding mothers. Despite increasing awareness on the benefits of breastfeeding in recent years, lactation experts Today spoke to said that misconceptions about breastfeeding are still rampant (see Breastfeeding myths debunked).
Breast milk has been proven to prevent infections, allergies and obesity in babies.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) encourages mothers to “start breastfeeding exclusively as soon as the baby is born, for at least six months and after, as long as mutually desired”.
A 2007 clinical study conducted by the National University of Singapore on 450 women found that those who did not receive antenatal education were less likely to breastfeed exclusively after delivery, compared to those who had.
Senior clinical research coordinator and lactation consultant Mrs Doris Fok, who was involved in the research, said: “The mothers who did not breastfeed their babies were not as well-educated about breastfeeding. With the lack of family support and education, they didn’t think that breastfeeding was a lifestyle that was possible for them.”
Dr Lim Hui Ling, a senior family physician at International Medical Clinic, who has an interest in breastfeeding, said that she has seen many mothers give up breastfeeding because of traditional beliefs and myths, as well as pressure from their relatives.
Ms Betty Lee, a lactation and prenatal consultant in private practice said that even for those who attempt to breastfeed initially, lack of family support can cause them to give up later on.
“I tell them to try, but their in-laws or husbands may tell them otherwise. Many mothers start out with the best intentions, and then give up after two months,” she said.
Incorrect advice given by doctors who are “not well informed” about breastfeeding can also sabotage a mother’s efforts to breastfeed, said Dr Lim, who has seen mothers who were told to stop breastfeeding by their family doctors because of prescribed medication — another breastfeeding myth.
But are there instances in which a mother cannot breastfeed?
In rare cases, a mother may be unable to breastfeed due to “overwhelming health concerns” such as AIDS and active tuberculosis.
“Those on certain strong and toxic medication, like cancer drugs or drugs that affect the immune system and brain function, should also not breastfeed,” said Dr Lim.
In addition, mothers who have had their milk ducts cut in certain breast enhancement surgeries will have problems breastfeeding.
Tuesday August 12, 2008
WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK
HPB advises breastfeeding as long as ‘mutually desired’
Picture: Many Singaporean mothers don’t bother to breastfeed or give up on it because of traditional beliefs, myths or incorrect advice from the older generation. TODAY file photo
EVELINE GAN
eveline@mediacorp.com.sg
YOU’RE not feeding him enough milk. Look, he’s hungry again. Formula is better. This was what well-meaning relatives told firsttime mum, Elaine Chan, when she was breastfeeding her newborn son.
“I was set on breastfeeding, but my in-laws had some misconceptions about it. This caused some friction in the family during the early months,” said the 29-yearold technical assistant.
As in Elaine’s case, such scenarios are not uncommon among breastfeeding mothers. Despite increasing awareness on the benefits of breastfeeding in recent years, lactation experts Today spoke to said that misconceptions about breastfeeding are still rampant (see Breastfeeding myths debunked).
Breast milk has been proven to prevent infections, allergies and obesity in babies.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) encourages mothers to “start breastfeeding exclusively as soon as the baby is born, for at least six months and after, as long as mutually desired”.
A 2007 clinical study conducted by the National University of Singapore on 450 women found that those who did not receive antenatal education were less likely to breastfeed exclusively after delivery, compared to those who had.
Senior clinical research coordinator and lactation consultant Mrs Doris Fok, who was involved in the research, said: “The mothers who did not breastfeed their babies were not as well-educated about breastfeeding. With the lack of family support and education, they didn’t think that breastfeeding was a lifestyle that was possible for them.”
Dr Lim Hui Ling, a senior family physician at International Medical Clinic, who has an interest in breastfeeding, said that she has seen many mothers give up breastfeeding because of traditional beliefs and myths, as well as pressure from their relatives.
Ms Betty Lee, a lactation and prenatal consultant in private practice said that even for those who attempt to breastfeed initially, lack of family support can cause them to give up later on.
“I tell them to try, but their in-laws or husbands may tell them otherwise. Many mothers start out with the best intentions, and then give up after two months,” she said.
Incorrect advice given by doctors who are “not well informed” about breastfeeding can also sabotage a mother’s efforts to breastfeed, said Dr Lim, who has seen mothers who were told to stop breastfeeding by their family doctors because of prescribed medication — another breastfeeding myth.
But are there instances in which a mother cannot breastfeed?
In rare cases, a mother may be unable to breastfeed due to “overwhelming health concerns” such as AIDS and active tuberculosis.
“Those on certain strong and toxic medication, like cancer drugs or drugs that affect the immune system and brain function, should also not breastfeed,” said Dr Lim.
In addition, mothers who have had their milk ducts cut in certain breast enhancement surgeries will have problems breastfeeding.
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