For a mother, breastfeeding represents the most precious moments of her life. For the baby, breastfeeding fulfills the need for nourishment, learning, discovery, socialization and love. But what are the situations in which a mother cannot breastfeed her baby , or when is breastfeeding contraindicated?
Situations when the baby cannot be breastfed
First of all, the health care professional should tell you that you cannot breastfeed the baby. It would not be right for the mother to take such a decision on her own initiative. This is because there may be misconceptions in the community that a breastfeeding mother should not breastfeed when she has the flu / cold / takes painkillers / starts her cycle. None of these can be a reason for not breastfeeding, unless the health professional says so. So, when can a mother not breastfeed her baby or when isbreastfeeding inappropriate?
When breastfeeding may be harmful for the baby
Let’s consider the situations where breastfeeding may be inconvenient under two headings: The situations in which breastfeeding is inconvenient due to the mother and the baby can be summarized as follows:
There are factors that can lead to the cessation of breastfeeding. In these exceptional cases, the doctor will inform the mother and her family.
1.Obstacles to Breastfeeding Caused by the Baby
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Glactosemia
It is very rare worldwide and the baby reacts to breast milk.
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Phenylketonuria
It is defined as a kind of metabolic disorder. It is seen in 1 in 4500 on average in our country.
- Maple Syrup Urinary Disease
2.Maternal Impediments to Breastfeeding
- The mother is mentally unfit
- Detection of active maternal tuberculosis
- The mother is taking medication that passes into the milk and may be harmful to the baby
Conditions Commonly Thought to Interfere with Breastfeeding
Since breastfeeding is the transfer of a fluid from the mother’s body to the baby, it is a common belief that any illness, medication, drink or condition that the mother carries will be transferred to the baby through the milk and affect it. Let’s unpack some of the misconceptions about this:
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If the mother has a cold/flu/cold, she should not breastfeed!
Colds and similar illnesses experienced by the mother are not passed on to the baby through milk. However, they can be passed through breathing, touching, kissing and contact. During this period, the mother should wash her hands before each breastfeeding, wear a mask, avoid breathing in the baby’s face and continue breastfeeding.
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A mother should not breastfeed if she is menstruating!
There is no evidence that the mother’s menstrual cycle has an effect on the milk. The mother should continue breastfeeding during her menstrual period.
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A mother should not breastfeed while taking medication!
When you go for an examination during breastfeeding, be sure to tell the doctor so that he or she can prescribe medicines that do not pass into the milk. Not all medicines pass into the milk and affect the baby. The physician provides the information here.
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She should not breastfeed if she has mastitis!
Mastitis is very uncomfortable for the mother, but the solution is to breastfeed again. During this period, the mother should continue breastfeeding and even use a breast pump to relieve the ducts.
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She should not breastfeed if she has nipple sensitivity!
In the early period, nipple tenderness is very common, especially due to improper breastfeeding. In this case, it is sufficient to relax the nipple, to use a nipple protector that prevents contact with the underwear fabric if necessary, and to learn the correct way of breastfeeding.
Important Information About Breast Milk
Breast milk is the only free physiological infant food that contains the nutrients the child needs in the appropriate quantity and quality, whose components may vary according to the needs of the baby at the time, and has protective properties against infections. All the substances a baby needs are only found in its own mother’s milk. Although almost all of us know this information, there may be situations where we are not willing enough to breastfeed. From this point of view, we wanted to underline some little-known details about the importance of breastfeeding:
Little Known Facts on the Importance of Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding is perceived as only feeding the baby. If this is the case, it is thought that the baby can be fed with something else (such as follow-on milk). However, it is a little known detail that no other product has been developed that can match the content of breast milk and that breastfeeding is not only about nutrition.
- Breastfeeding is also of great social importance. While breastfeeding, the baby feels secure by feeling its mother, the only being it knows in this new world. It relaxes. This helps it sleep well and be happy.
- The baby learns and discovers while sucking. It recognizes by smelling, it sucks the milk, sometimes (in later stages) it touches the mother and makes eye contact with her. All these are its first learning experiences. It goes through a learning process of searching for the breast, turning the head, sucking, swallowing, thumb sucking, grasping, turning towards the mother, sensing feeding times and getting ready.
- Breastfeeding is a social activity for the baby. It needs this activity and emotional connection. It relaxes as it breastfeeds. In fact, the mother also feels more comfortable as she breastfeeds.
- Breastfeeding strengthens the baby’s immune system. Breastfeeding also strengthens the immune system of the mother.
If there are no obstacles to breastfeeding, the baby should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months.
What Can You Do to Stay Motivated to Breastfeed?
It is important to familiarize yourself with breastfeeding as early as mid-pregnancy. Make a plan to learn about breastfeeding and get motivated to breastfeed. Follow these steps to get motivated to breastfeed:
1.Find out!
As with everything else, researching, reading and learning about topics such as being a first-time mother, caring for a newborn baby, postnatal nutrition, breastfeeding, etc. helps you to become emotionally prepared for the subject while becoming knowledgeable. When you are informed, you feel more prepared and more confident.
2.Focus on Comfort!
The breastfeeding process is closely related to comfort. Rushing every time you breastfeed, trying to breastfeed quickly in an uncomfortable place, usually causes the baby to reject the breast in a short time . Therefore, plan the details that will provide you with comfort during the breastfeeding process. These can be:
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Plan the Breastfeeding Space!
Set up a place for breastfeeding in the nursery or bedroom. Have a breastfeeding chair or a nursing chair.
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Buy a breastfeeding pillow!
Use a breastfeeding pillow tosupport the baby and keep your lower back comfortable while breastfeeding . You can also use throw pillows or cushions at home, but a breastfeeding pillow is a bit different as it is designed for this very purpose.
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Drinking Water is Important!
To make the breastfeeding time long and comfortable, place a coffee table etc. next to where you will sit and make sure there is a glass of water on it. Drinking water relaxes you and increases the milk.
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Make a Music Playlist!
Light and relaxing music will be very pleasant for both you and the baby. Therefore, make your music list and have it ready before the birth.
3.Live in the Moment!
you must have heard the term “living in the moment” all your life. Many people, books, movies give you this advice. But what does “living in the moment” mean? There is no repetition of life for any moment or period of time we live. It is sometimes very important to say “I lived it to the fullest” instead of looking back and saying “I wish I had enjoyed it”. Imagine that you are the only desire, the only familiar thing, the only information, the only meaning in your newborn baby’s world. He is comforted by your scent, nourished by your milk, recognizes your voice. The only thing that guides it is skin-to-skin contact with you. Treasure these priceless, wonderful and fleeting moments. Be alone with him, nurse him, love him, smile at him… Ignore all the negativity: the lack of sleep, the disrupted order at home and in your life, the change in the way of life you are used to. Because it will all come back in a few years, but these moments will never be repeated 🙂
4.Be Prepared!
Scientific research shows that when a mother decides to breastfeed during pregnancy and is determined to do so, her baby will breastfeed for longer. Make preparations to ensure determination and motivate yourself. To this end, prepare your own baby shopping list. Get all the necessities for breastfeeding such as breast pump, breast milk storage bottle, bottle and bottle nipple, breastfeeding pillow, nipple remover, breastfeeding cover before the birth.