JEDDAH: Doctors have urged mothers to breast-feed their newborns instead of resorting to bottle-feeding. Breast-feeding ensures better health and leads to a good immune system. They said many women worry about the shape of their breasts and believe breastfeeding causes sagging. But it is not breast-feeding that spoils the breasts, rather the rapid change in weight that takes place. Some women mistakenly think that breastfeeding impedes the breast returning to its normal size and causes unsightly stretch marks and skin tissue lesions. It is therefore important that women do not put on too much weight during pregnancy and wear a good supporting bra. Preventing breast engorgement during lactation and gradual wearing of a bra will help breasts adjust to their normal size with minimal damage to the breast tissue. Dr. Fadwa Al-Nahdi, Family Medicine Consultant and Coordinator of the Motherhood Program in the Primary Health Care Administration, said natural breastfeeding has several advantages and the Holy Qur'an recommends it. In addition, breast-feeding has psychological benefits. Nursing women report they bond more with their newborns and are more self-confident and develop a stronger connection with their babies. They also have a sense of accomplishment in fulfilling their babies' needs. Nursing also gives the mother and baby comfort. Breast milk also contains all the necessary nutrients that a baby needs in the first few months; it provides key immune and other long-term benefits. Breastfed babies score higher on IQ tests scores, according to some studies. She also warned about the misconceptions instilled by grandmothers in the minds of the new moms that high-calorie food increases lactation. Scientifically there is no evidence that this happens. Dr. Mona Baslem, an oncologist at King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah, said some studies show that breast-feeding for one year decreases the chances of breast cancer by 20 percent, especially in women before they reach the age of menopause.
