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World Breastfeeding Week 2025: World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, which means that no other foods or fluids are provided, except for oral revival solution, or when necessary, vitamins, minerals, or drug drop/syrup. While breastfeeding is an important aspect of maternity, it is often surrounded by myths that can cause confusion and stress for new mothers in Indian families. Also read Breast care during breastfeeding: Shares hygiene tips and general mistakes to avoid gynecologist
Breastfeeding myth vs. science
In an interview with HT lifestyle, Dr. Kirti Bendre, Advisor Gynecologist, KJ Somaiya Hospital and Research Center and Dr. The evening, advisor obstetric and gynecologist, Apollo Group of hospitals rejected some common myths about breastfeeding and revealed the truth.
Dr. K Sandhya listed the 11 most common breastfeeding myths in India:
1) Giving sugar water, honey, or animal milk before starting the first breastfeeding – It is believed that the newborn brings a lifetime of good luck or sweetness.
2) First abandoning milk secretion – colostrum – as it is considered stale
3) Avoiding potatoes, brinjals, oily foods, citrus fruits, cold drinks and ice creams while breastfeeding – is believed to cause gaseous deformity and respiratory infection in the newborn.
4) If the mother has fever, cough or cold to avoid breastfeeding – the elderly believe that the disease is transmitted to the breast milk.
5) If the mother has not breastfeed the baby for a few hours to abandon breast milk – it is believed that the breast left without feeding is milk in curd.
6) Small breasts give little milk and vice versa.
7) To give water in addition to breast milk – is believed to have a child better.
8) The baby is difficult to vein if breastfeeding is continued beyond one year. The elders believe that such children become clingers and become poor eaters.
9) To avoid the medicine completely while breastfeeding the baby – all medicines will enter breast milk and damage the baby.
10) Avoid breastfeeding with sore throat – the baby may be infected.
11) Wash the breast thoroughly before each breastfeeding to avoid infection in the baby.
Are Indian families wrong about breastfeeding
Dr. Bendre explained some of the most popular myths, which she still hears from Indian families, especially from older generations, and said, “There are many permanent myths that continue to affect breastfeeding in India. A widespread perception is that colostrum or first milk is ‘dirty’ or ‘very thick’, when it is actually antibizes and ”
Talking about other myths, which need to be addressed, he said: “A common myth is that a crying child always shows that mother’s milk is not enough, which leads inappropriate formulas. Some people also have the impression that mothers need to close breastfeeding, if they are ready again, ‘proper hydration and good nutrition.”
Dr. Bendre also shared how breastfeeding myths affect the confidence and options of new mothers. He said, “Such myths can seriously eradicate a mother’s confidence. Older relatives may be demanded to feed or doubt whether Breastmilak is enough, can lead new mothers to raise questions on their body. It can be emotionally challenging for most women.”
Dr. K Sandhya said, “Although the joy of motherhood begins the moment when the mother hears her child crying, a lifetime relationship begins when the mother breastfeed her baby. Indian cultural practices about breastfeeding are largely compatible with mother-and-children. However, some practices inherent in ignorance need to address our society.”
She further said, “Cultural practices that first deprive the baby of maternal feed – colostrum – which is full of nutrients and antibodies, deprives the child of good health and delays maternal relationship. Pasting sugar water, honey, etc., administering water, honey, etc., the child becomes a psychological grief to become sick.”
Breastfeeding during the first six months
What does science really say about the period and frequency of breastfeeding during the first six months? Dr. According to Bendre, “Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is advised by the World Health Organization and Indian Pediatrics Indian Academy. No water, animal milk, or formula means that there is no other fluid, but breastmilak, which is nutritional enough for this period. Food should be done up to two years or even more.”
Dr. S. Sandhya said, “When a baby demands a feed on breastfeeding, it helps to maintain the health of the child’s intestine and adapt to weight gain. It gives enough time to re -achieve her energy to lactate the mother. Exclusive breastfeeding has proved to prevent infectious disease and nutritional deficiencies and to increase the child’s emotional development.
Myth about breast size and breastfeeding
Dr. K. Sandhya said, “After the birth of a child, a mother requires a nutritious, balanced, nutritional diet for a mother for reconstruction of her body.
He explained, “Myths about breast size and breastfeeding are worried about the child with small breasts about enough food, and if the mothers with big breasts do not give enough milk to whatever cause, it creates a sense of crime and shame.
Is it true that some women do not produce enough milk?
Asked if some women actually ‘do not make enough milk’, or if it was a myth, then Dr. Bendre said, “Where the real low milk supply is supplied, it is much less prevalent than imagination. Often, the situation involves a compromise latch, insufficient feeding, or insufficient support. Unfortunately, the wrong and premature use of the formula often disrupts this natural process, which leads to a self-sufficiency predicted.”
Dr. According to the evening of the evening, ‘adequate milk’ depends on the nutritional demand of the child ‘: “Adequate milk’ is not a matter of concern where the child sucks well or in a mother whose nipples are not withdrawn, and in conditions where the mother’s nutrition and hydration are good care.”
He said, “Although it makes a small percentage of women, the implications are large. The sutras are a panacea in such situations and they should be encouraged only in such situations, as they ensure that the nutritional needs of the baby are met. The mother should be given emotional support, as such situations have to face porous dedication.”
Note the readers: This article is only for informative purposes and is not an option for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor with any question about a medical condition.
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