The barriers that stop breastfeeding

The Breastfeedingwhich remains the most natural food for a baby, is conditioned by a series of barriers and factors that differ around the world, according to the latest reports from the Unicef.

In its study “Why family policies are decisive to increase breastfeeding in the world”, released this month of August, Unicef, in favor of babies being breastfed during their first two years, highlights that only 41% are only the first six months of life.

According to the sources consulted, mothers around the world face obstacles related to cultural, social and/or work conditions that prevent them from breastfeeding their babies despite the benefits that this diet entails for both.

The doctor Bruno Abarcaa Nutrition and Health technician from the NGO “Acción contra el hambre” in Madrid, stated that “it has been proven that a child who does not receive adequate food throughout his life will have less education and less income”.

The doctor adds that when reality is presented in these terms, people better understand the importance of food in general and breastfeeding in particular.

The case of the Middle East

The breakdown of the aforementioned Unicef ​​report by region gives an idea that only 40% of babies in the Middle East and North Africa are breastfed.

In North America, the figure drops to 26%, while it rises to 56% in eastern and southern Africa, to reach a maximum in countries like Rwanda – which reaches almost 87% – and Sri Lanka, where it ranks in the 82%

In a country like Lebanon, Bashaier El Hussein, a Syrian refugee mother with two babies born in a town east of Beirut, declares that she had “breast inflammations from not breastfeeding” her first baby: “It took them five hours to return it to me to give suckling. They told me they were very busy.”

And it is that, according to World Health Organization (WHO)In Lebanon, only 34% of displaced Syrian children are breastfed. The rate for Lebanese babies is even lower, at 25%.

In this country, one of the main factors that decreases the rate of breastfeeding is the commercialization of artificial milk.

Dr. Abarca, a specialist in the Middle East, considers that “health professionals may have an economic incentive from these manufacturers to distribute free samples of bottles or artificial milk.”

To promote breastfeeding, Abarca explains that “in November 2018, the Lebanese government promoted a new baby feeding policy focused on public and private health centers.”

The deputy director of the Nutrition Program of “Action Against Hunger” in Lebanon, Rola Al Abdallah, told Efe in statements by telephone from Beirut that, “according to Lebanese law (47/2008), it is prohibited to distribute or promote the substitutes of breast milk in public or private hospitals or health centers, except under specific conditions”.

Lack of awareness and knowledge

Al Abdallah adds: “There are no awareness campaigns on the importance of breastfeeding or baby nutrition in hospitals or health centers in Lebanon. That is why since 2014 our programs focus on pregnant and lactating mothers. “.

The aforementioned Bashaier El Hussein is a beneficiary of these programs: “The problems I had with my first child are now gone thanks to the awareness workshops of Action Against Hunger in Lebanon.”

Two worlds

According to Unicef, upper-middle income countries have the lowest rates of breastfeeding, due, among other things, to the issue of maternity and paternity leave.

Nordic countries such as Finland give maternity leave up to 161 paid weeks, while the United States does not exceed 12 weeks, and on top of that, unpaid. Other low-income countries, such as Lesotho, Liberia, Papua New Guinea, and Swaziland, don’t even allow it.

In Lebanon, maternity leave lasts three months, while female workers in international organizations can have up to six months.

This situation limits the possibility of exercising the role of mother and discriminates against many women who suffer labor pressure to join the job.

Breastfeeding saves money

The economic benefit promotes breastfeeding, especially in a vulnerable society like Lebanon. Breastfeeding is a healthier and more cost-effective way to feed your baby and saves money on medicines and formula.

El Hussein comments that “when I worked as a dressmaker I had to sell my sewing machine to cover the costs of artificial milk and medication for my first child until I learned that mother’s milk is healthier, cheaper and cleaner.” .

Other problems have to do with the image in the media, which favors the use of bottles, or the fact that breastfeeding in public is still taboo, or at least inappropriate in a conservative society.

Misconceptions also affect. “If the sex of the baby is female, people usually recommend that the mother breastfeed for up to one year, while if the baby is male, up to two years,” says Rola Al Abdallah.

According to UNICEF, only one in six children receives a minimum acceptable diet in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Dr. Abarca comments that “in Egypt there are studies according to which more than 50% of the complementary food given to children from six months onwards was junk food, processed food; they were not fruits, vegetables or fresh foods” .

Al Hussein recounts the following: “I started giving my son supplements at four months according to the advice of my neighbours, so the baby always suffered from bloated stomach, diarrhea or fever.”

She also comments that “I was trying to breastfeed my first child but my mother-in-law said that the baby was hungry, that my milk looked like water… These comments affected me as a mother, so I learned with my second child.”

The role of the couple

The Spanish Alba Padró Arocas, an expert from the Breastfeeding Consultancy, believes that the best way to breastfeed “is when the couple supports their wife and is informed.”

And he adds: “When you decide to breastfeed, you can’t find help. The hospital professionals don’t give you the time you need to accompany you and advise you.”

For his part, Dr. Abarca maintains that “man must understand that breastfeeding is not only a woman’s issue but a family task, and each one has a role to play, such as encouraging him or guaranteeing his privacy “.

In short, breastfeeding has, as the sources consulted maintain, many obstacles to overcome.

But the epidermal contact that occurs for the first time between the baby and its mother’s breast strengthens its immune system, promotes intimacy between the two and helps the creature’s diet to be natural and healthier.