Q: There are many herbal or medicinal mixtures in the market that claim to help babies digest mother’s milk better. Do they really help?
A: No.
Mother’s milk is naturally perfect and easy for babies to digest. These mixtures do not improve digestion. In fact, some of them contain alcohol (more than five percent), which can harm the baby.
Table Of Content
- Q: There are many herbal or medicinal mixtures in the market that claim to help babies digest mother’s milk better. Do they really help?
- Q: My baby is two months old and receiving only mother’s milk. I am going for surgery and will be away for six to seven hours. Can my baby be given cow’s milk or formula during that time?
- Q: My feeding tip is flat or turned inward, and my baby is unable to latch comfortably. What should I do?
- Q: What is the correct way to feed a baby with mother’s milk?
- Q: Are there any medicines that mothers feeding with their own milk should avoid?
The World Health Organization clearly states that babies under six months should not be given anything other than mother’s milk, not even herbal mixtures. The U.S. FDA also advises that such preparations should be avoided for children under two years old unless absolutely necessary.
Q: My baby is two months old and receiving only mother’s milk. I am going for surgery and will be away for six to seven hours. Can my baby be given cow’s milk or formula during that time?
A: No.
You can express mother’s milk into a clean bowl in small portions a few hours before surgery. Mother’s milk stays safe for up to eight hours at room temperature.
Just before going into surgery, feed the baby well. During your absence, the saved expressed milk should be given. Avoid giving any other milk or formula unless a doctor clearly recommends it.
Q: My feeding tip is flat or turned inward, and my baby is unable to latch comfortably. What should I do?
A: Sometimes the feeding area becomes too full and firm, which makes it hard for the baby to latch. You can express a little milk by hand to soften the feeding area.
In rural areas, people sometimes have another baby (three to six months old) nurse to ease the fullness, but this is not always advisable.
If the feeding tip is flat or turned inward, a feeding shield made of soft, clean silicone can help.
During pregnancy, especially for first-time mothers or those who had difficulty earlier, the feeding tip can be gently pulled outward during bathing to help prepare it for milk feeding.
Q: What is the correct way to feed a baby with mother’s milk?
A. Here is a comparison of proper and improper milk-feeding positions.
Correct Milk-Feeding Position
- Baby’s mouth and chin are close to the feeding area
- Baby’s mouth opens wide with the lips comfortably outward
- Baby takes a deeper portion of the dark outer area into the mouth
- The feeding tip reaches well inside the baby’s palate
- Very little of the dark outer area is visible once latched
Incorrect Milk-Feeding Position
- Baby’s mouth and chin are far from the feeding area
- Baby’s mouth is only slightly open and lips cover only the feeding tip
- Baby sucks only on the tip
- The feeding tip stays near the lips instead of going deeper
- Most of the dark outer area remains outside
Q: Are there any medicines that mothers feeding with their own milk should avoid?
Yes. Some medicines can pass into mother’s milk and may affect the baby.
Medicines that should be avoided
- Cancer treatment medicines
- Bromocriptine
- Chloramphenicol
- Cigarettes, cocaine, heroin and other harmful substances
- Ergot, iodides, lithium
- Methimazole and certain thyroid medicines
- Tetracycline-group antibiotics
- Gold salt medicines and other heavy metals
Medicines to use with caution
- Aspirin
- Laxatives
- Certain birth-control tablets
- Estrogens
- Metronidazole
- Some pain relievers
- Some psychiatric medicines
- Certain vitamins and sulfa medicines
Always consult a doctor before taking any medicine while feeding your baby with mother’s milk.
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