Children not exclusively breastfed at risk of cerebrovascular strokes – WBFA Physician

An expert in Maternal and Child Health, Dr. Alero Roberts, has warned that babies that are not exclusively breastfed have a higher risk of developing cerebrovascular strokes later in life.

Children not exclusively breastfed, she added, are also at risk of metabolic syndromes like Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney diseases later in life.

Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, Dr. Roberts, a consultant at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, said a baby gets vital nourishment and immunity from colostrums, which is the first milk secreted after childbirth, adding that studies have shown that high intelligence quotient and mental alertness in children are linked to exclusive breastfeeding.

She explained that colostrums immunise a baby against immediate infective diseases and long term nutrition-related disorders.

According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2018, there has been a considerable increase in the rate of babies started on breast milk within an hour of birth.

Roberts, who is the Vice President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, said breastfeeding is not just the act of giving newborn human breast milk, but more importantly the gift of life.

“We are Nigerians, breastfeeding is what we do. In my experience, infant formula feeding was only used as a supplementation for ‘bigger’ babies, or when mothers have to return to work,” she said.

She maintained that breastfeeding cost nothing and in the long run, saves parents from endless hospital visits that will require out of pocket payments.

“Exclusive breastfeeding does not cost the mother, the parents or the planet anything.

“We must conserve our resources and ensure that our children have strong immune systems.

“Children that are exclusively breastfed and then continually breastfed until 24 months are healthier, stronger, more mentally alert and intellectually more astute.

“Though there will be the usual ups and downs; the sore nipples, engorgement, leaking breasts and painful latching, that experience is a story every mother wants to tell.

“On the part of the mother, it helps with a hormonal restoration that would aid her recovery from pregnancy

“In this new normal, there is a great desire to ensure that we don’t contribute to damage to the planet,” she said.

According to Dr. Roberts, most mothers lack the depth of knowledge that gives them the confidence to insist on and to initiate breastfeeding within the first 30 minutes of birth and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of the child’s life.

The expert, who is also the 2nd vice-chairman, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, said breastfeeding counselling should be instituted to help mothers build confidence and willpower to overcome challenges that prevent healthy feeding and childcare practices.

“Such practices include the provision of unnecessary liquids, foods and infant formula to infants and young babies.

“Faced with incredulous demands from grandmothers and other family influencers that have no basis in science or cultural norms, many new mothers are overcome with conflicting choices.

“New mothers need skilled counselling and support to get them through the first difficult days when they are assailed by doubts and faced with the enormity of this responsibility,” the physician said.

Speaking further, Dr. Roberts said the 2020 World Breastfeeding Day stands to remind everyone of the various economic and environmental benefits of breastfeeding as long term scarce health resources are preserved.

“Breastfeeding forms part of the sustainable food system,” she said, adding “Imagine that, there is no waste produced from bottles and packaging, there is no capital outlay, no recurrent expenses to purchase infant formula or spend unnecessary funds on hospital visits.

“Breastfeeding is a naturally renewable resource that has no additional packaging, shipping, or disposal costs.

“There are savings on electricity and fuel as breastfeeding does not require any of these for production. It also saves on the packaging which in turn saves the landfills and the oceans.

“Breastfeeding nurtures the child, builds the family, sustains national development and saves the planet.”

Breast milk, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, provide the ideal nutrition for infants as it has a near-perfect mix of vitamins, protein, fat and everything a baby needs to grow.

WebMD, an online health portal, notes that they are all provided in a form more easily digested than infant formula.

According to WebMD “Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of having asthma or allergies.

“Plus, babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhoea. They also have fewer hospitalisations and trips to the doctor,” it stated.

The WHO has also over the years advocated for breastfeeding, noting that it provides every child with the best possible start in life.

According to WHO, breastfeeding “delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both children and mothers. And it forms part of a sustainable food system.

“But while breastfeeding is a natural process, it is not always easy. Mothers need support – both to get started and to sustain breastfeeding,” it said

Globally, World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually on August 1-7, to re-emphasise the benefits of breastfeeding.

This year’s event which runs throughout this week is themed, “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”.

The WHO said skilled counselling services can ensure that mothers and families receive support, along with the information, advice, and reassurance they need to nourish their babies optimally.

“Breastfeeding counselling can help mothers to build confidence while respecting their circumstances and choices.

“Counselling can empower women to overcome challenges and prevent feeding and care practices that may interfere with optimal breastfeedings, such as the provision of unnecessary liquids, foods, and breast milk substitutes to infants and young children.”

The UN health body noted that improving access to skilled counselling for breastfeeding can extend the duration of breastfeeding and promote exclusive breastfeeding, with benefits for babies, families and economies.