Prof. Edamison Temiye, a consultant paediatrician at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), has urged mothers to breastfeed newborns, particularly with colostrum, the first breast milk, because of its protective benefits against infections.
Temiye gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
He said that colostrum contained essential proteins, water and antibodies that helped protect newborns.
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Temiye explained that colostrum, usually produced within the first three days to one week after delivery, provided sufficient nutrients for newborns during their early days.
“At birth, the amount of milk produced is usually very small, but the colostrum is enough to satisfy the baby. It is rich in protein, water and immunity to protect the baby,” he said.
The paediatrician said breast milk production depended largely on the baby’s demand, noting that regular breastfeeding stimulated increased milk production.
“Breast milk is produced on demand. If the baby demands regularly and sucks regularly, the mother will produce more milk,” he said.
Temiye said failure to empty the breasts could cause engorgement, pain and discomfort, making breastfeeding uncomfortable for mothers.
He also dismissed the belief that breast milk left in the breast for several days became contaminated, describing such claims as misconceptions.
“The milk is inside the mother’s breast and is perfectly preserved there. It cannot become contaminated simply because the baby has not sucked for some days,” he said.
On weaning, Temiye explained that milk production gradually reduced when a mother stopped breastfeeding, as the body adjusted to the absence of the baby’s demand.
He said mothers could initially experience breast fullness, pain, warmth and discomfort after stopping breastfeeding.
“By the third day, the body begins to recognise that nobody is drinking the milk anymore and starts reducing production. Within one week, the engorgement should subside,” he said.
He added that breastfeeding could stimulate milk production again if a baby resumed sucking after a period of stopping.
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