A. Colostrum is not good or even dangerous for babies. NO!
Colostrum is physiological and essential for the new born:
a. First immunization- protects against intestinal and other infections
b. Cleans up mucosa and reduce the severity of jaundice
B. Infants need special teas or other fluids before breastfeeding. NO!
Any pre-lacteal feeds (feed given before breastfeeding has started) increase the infant’s risk of infection, reduce the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding and shorten the duration of breastfeeding.
C. Babies will not get enough food or fluid with only colostrums and breastmilk. NO!
Colostrum is sufficient for a baby’s first feeds. It is normal for a newborn to lose 3-6% of birth weight.
D. Baby will get too cold. NO!
Babies are at safe temperatures when skin-to-skin with their mothers. Amazingly, the mother’s breast temperature rises 0.5 degrees C within 2 minutes of having the baby on her chest.
E. Mothers are too exhausted after labour and delivery to feed their baby immediately. NO!
The surge of oxytocin that comes with skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding helps to calm a mother after the birth of her baby.
F. It is very important to suction the baby’s mouth, nose and oropharynx before the first breath to prevent inhaling birth fluids, especially if the baby had a bowel movement during the labour. NO!
Suctioning the normal healthy newborn does not reduce the occurrence of meconium aspiration and may injure the tissue of the mouth, throat or vocal cords. Gastric suction also interferce with breastfeeding.
G. Vitamin K and medication to prevent gonorrhea eye infection must be given immediately after birth. NO!
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine state that these important preventive measures can be delayed for as long as an hour, until after the baby has breastfed, without risk to the infant. They should not in any case require separation of mother and baby.
H. Women require pharmacologic intervention to cope with the pain of labour. Normally, NO!
Use of labour analgesia/anaesthesia may sedate the baby, hindering breast-seeking behavior and delaying initiation of breastfeeding for hours or days. Use of complementary therapies including having a companion during labour help women to cope with the pain and the obstetric outcome may be improved.
I. It requires too much work and time to help the mother during this time. NO!
While the baby is on the mother’s chest, the both attendant can continue to do the usual assessment of mother and baby or other duties. The baby will find his or her own way to the breast.