MoPH, partners dispel breastfeeding myths through campaign

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation ( HMC) and Primary Health Care Corporation, has launched a social media campaign to raise awareness about breastfeeding.While dispelling some of the common breastfeeding myths, the campaign aims to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and its lasting impact on the newborns. The World Breastfeeding Week is marked annually from August 1 to 7.Duaa Alafaghany, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and breastfeeding specialist at Women’s Wellness and research Centre, HMC, in a video on social media notes that there are several misconceptions about breastfeeding which have no scientific basis and explains them in detail.Several posts on the social media channels of MoPH and the partners highlight these myths regarding breastfeeding and the facts behind the same. One of the common myths is that breastfeeding is too difficult and painful. " Many mothers experience discomfort in the first few days after giving birth as they learn how to breastfeed. However with the right support and positioning, this can be avoided,” highlights the campaign.Another myth is that not all mothers produce enough milk to breastfeed which is quite wrong as all mothers naturally produce enough milk to breastfeed their babies and frequent breastfeeding will induce and increase milk production.There is another prevalent misconception that babies should be disciplined from early age as breastfeeding and holding them when they cry, will spoil them and make them weak. However the fact is that babies cannot be spoiled at the early moments of life as they need love and responsive care. There is also a common belief that mothers cannot breastfeed after a C-section which is quite wrong as breastfeeding after a C-section is quite possible.The campaign is also raising awareness about a few more myths about breastfeeding. One of them is that an exclusively breastfed baby needs to have water occasionally. "Breastmilk is 80% water, especially the first milk that comes with each feed. Babies do need water before they are six months old even in a hot climate,” explains the campaign.Finally, another common misconception is that a baby cannot be breastfed if he or she is sick. However, the truth is that babies can be breastfed even if they are sick as breastfeeding boosts the immune system of the babies and the mothers’ antibodies are passed to the babies through breast milk helping the babies fight the illness or infections.