10 Bad Habits of Breastfeeding Mothers that Affect Babies and Affect Milk Production

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The bad habits of breastfeeding mothers can have an impact on the baby and affect milk production, Mother. Therefore, changing this bad habit is very important before entering the breastfeeding period.

If you find this habit difficult to break, try asking for professional or expert help. Don’t forget to ask for support from your family to help change this habit.

Bad habits of breastfeeding mothers

So, here are Hai, Mother, summarized from various sources, 10 bad habits of breastfeeding mothers that have an impact on babies and can affect breast milk:

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1. Smoking

Smoking is a habit that needs to be avoided while breastfeeding. Reported by Web MD, the content of nicotine and chemicals, such as lead, arsenic, and formaldehyde, can enter the breast milk that is given to the baby.

There is evidence to suggest that the nicotine in cigarettes can change the composition of breast milk and can even reduce its production, Mother. The amount of nicotine in breast milk will vary, depending on how often you smoke.

“Some evidence suggests that babies of women who smoke five or more cigarettes a day have trouble sleeping and are more likely to cry or fuss for longer periods of time,” says Pediatrician and Lactation Consultant Dan Brennan, MD.

Some of the risks that can impact babies whose mothers smoke are developing chronic respiratory problems, such as allergies and asthma. In addition, children also have difficulty sleeping, are easily fussy, and are at risk of death from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

2. Consumption of alcohol

The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend consuming alcoholic beverages during breastfeeding. This is because the alcohol content can pass through breast milk and enter the baby’s body, Mother.

A study conducted in Australia showed that alcohol consumption while breastfeeding can affect children’s intelligence. The study, published in the journal Nutrients, analyzed health and education data from more than 5,000 children over 17 years of age.

The results suggest that when alcohol has been consumed by mothers while breastfeeding, their children may be at greater risk of performing poorly on standardized academic tests.

3. Consume a lot of caffeine

Consumption of coffee or tea containing caffeine is not prohibited during breastfeeding. However, Mother should not consume excessively or need to stop it if it causes side effects.

In small amounts, caffeine shouldn’t affect your baby. However, these substances can still be passed to the baby through breast milk and can cause behavioral problems.

In the study it was also found that nursing mothers who drank caffeine (10 cups or more) reported that their babies showed signs of being fussy, restless, irritable, and had poor sleep patterns.

4. Consumption of herbal ingredients without consulting a doctor

Some herbal ingredients can be consumed because they can help increase breast milk supply. However, you need to be observant in choosing this herbal ingredient.

Before consuming herbal ingredients, you should first consult a doctor. There are several herbal product products that have been proven safe and have obtained distribution permits from BPOM. However, recommendations for consumption also need to be asked again to the doctor.

At least, there are three herbal ingredients that need to be avoided during breastfeeding, namely peppermint, parsley leaves, and sage. These three herbal ingredients are known as anti-galactagogues, or those that can reduce breast milk production. Consumption of all three in high doses is not recommended while breastfeeding.

Illustration of a breastfeeding mother taking herbal supplements or medicine/ Photo: Getty Images/AsiaVision

5. Often take medication without consulting a doctor

Reported by the Mayo Clinic, almost all the drugs that are in the mother’s blood will be transferred to breast milk to some extent. Most drugs do not pose a serious risk to the baby.

However, there are exceptions where the drug may concentrate in breast milk. Certain medications can even cause problems in babies, especially premature babies, newborns, and babies who are medically unstable or have poorly functioning kidneys.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises breastfeeding mothers to tell their pediatricians about all medications they are taking, including herbal products.

“Certain classes of drugs can be problematic, either because of their accumulation in breast milk or because of their effect on the baby or nursing mother. The most common products of concern are painkillers, antidepressants, and drugs to treat substance or alcohol abuse or stop smoking,” so says the AAP.

6. Strict diet

Strict diets are not recommended as long as Mother is still breastfeeding. This strict diet includes cutting the calories your body needs by limiting your intake of carbohydrates or certain types of protein.

“We recommend that breastfeeding does not need a strict diet to meet the maximum supply of milk,” said a nutritionist in New York, Mary Jane Detroyer, MS, RD, CDN, quoting The Bump.

Instead of a strict diet, you can actually lose weight after giving birth by continuing to breastfeed your little one. Breastfeeding can burn around 500 calories per day.

7. Wearing a tight bra

Avoid putting pressure on your breasts while still breastfeeding, Mother. An example is wearing a tight bra.

Tight bras can put pressure on the breasts which can block the milk ducts. In the end, this condition can cause mastitis, which is an infection of the breast tissue which is characterized by pain and swollen breasts.

Apart from causing mastitis, tight bras can make you feel uncomfortable. Because, during the breastfeeding period, the breasts will grow large to accommodate the milk needed for your little one.

Breastfeeding Bra/ Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto

8. Not giving enough time for the baby to suckle

The bad habit of breastfeeding mothers that can affect milk production is not giving the baby enough time to suckle. According to La Leche League International (LLLI), the composition of breast milk can change in one feeding.

So, each composition of breast milk contains different nutrients to support the baby’s development. If Mother doesn’t give enough time, it is feared that the Little One will not get enough nutrition.

“Limiting time (breastfeeding) at the breast can cause the baby to eat less, thus losing the fatty composition of breast milk at the end of breastfeeding,” said lactation consultant Leigh Anne O’Connor, quoted from Romper.

9. Play cell phone while breastfeeding

When breastfeeding, Mother can create bonding with the child. One of them is by making eye contact.

However, the habit of playing cellphones while breastfeeding can eliminate this bonding. As a result, it can be difficult for babies to focus on breastfeeding and may not even be close to their mother.

“Staring at the cellphone all the time while breastfeeding can eliminate eye contact with the baby. In fact, babies need eye contact and interaction while breastfeeding inherently to meet their needs,” said O’Connor.

10. Not maintaining hygiene while breastfeeding

Before and during breastfeeding, Mother needs to maintain cleanliness. Unhygienic habits can affect the health of your little one. They become susceptible to bacterial infections from an unclean environment.

Before breastfeeding and touching the baby, try to get used to washing your hands, Mother. Also make sure the place where your little one is breastfeeding is clean or sterile from dirt or dust.

Do you want to buy health products and other needs for breastfeeding mothers? Come on, click here.

Also check out the tips for Mothers to be comfortable breastfeeding when in a crowd, in the following video:

[Gambas:Video Haibunda]

(ank/pri)