Difficulty in breastfeeding? Help is here, says Dubai Health Authority

It is important to consult a lactation specialist who in most cases will be able to guide women and provide assistance to continue breastfeeding, said Manal Wahba, gynecologist and lactation consultant at Dubai Hospital.

The importance of breastfeeding was the topic of the weekly Twitter clinic from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

It may not be the first thing to associate with being a new mom, but breastfeeding courses are not a luxury.

Dubai Hospital and Latifa Hospital offer education and lactation consultation through pregnancy and right after the baby was born.

In addition, the hospitals have helpline numbers so that women facing difficulties with breastfeeding have immediate assistance, without having to visit a hospital.

Elizabeth Taylor, an American resident in Dubai who recently gave birth in Latifa Hospital, describes how it works.

"About a week after you have given birth you visit the consultant. She asks you to demonstrate a feed. If it goes well you do not have to come back. But if there are any problems, they will schedule another session, just until you get it right."

According to Dubai Hospital’s statistics for 2014, of the total number of women who delivered at Dubai hospital, 91.8 per opted for exclusive breastfeeding, 8.1 opted for mixed feeding due to medical reasons and less than one per cent of women opted for mixed feeding for non-medical reasons.

"These consultancy sessions really helped. In my case, there were some complications. I experienced a lot of pain and started wondering if I could continue.  But the nurses insisted; I came to their clinic so we could find out what went wrong. If it wasn't for them, I might have given up," said Elizabeth.

Amal Al Mulla, gynecologist and lactation consultant at Latifa Hospital, highlighted that breastfeeding has several health benefits for the mother and child.

"Breastfeeding is known to help prevent babies from developing respiratory illnesses, recurrent ear infections and other health problems.

"Breastfeeding is also linked to reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

"Initiating breastfeeding within an hour of birth and continuing it up minimum 6 months is essential for the baby’s growth and immunity.

"There are several proven health benefits of breastfeeding to the mother and child. But in order to ensure that more women breastfeed, we need to provide them with support right from the pregnancy stage.

"Physicians and nurses have an opportunity to emphasize breastfeeding education beginning with preconception visits and continuing through prenatal care, delivery and postpartum care."

However, the assistance is not available in all hospitals. Rather, most hospitals give an introduction when the child is born but do not follow up on the mother and child.

"I was experiencing a lot of pain during breastfeeding and I did not understand why. I did not know whom to turn to, so I started substituting with formula milk," said an Arabic mother who did not want to be named.

Other mothers narrate similar stories. "I tried several techniques but after a few weeks it was still a painful experience, so I quit breastfeeding all together," said another Arabic mother.

Mehnaz Gul, gynecologist at Dubai Hospital said that mothers need to be well aware that breastfeeding is not only vital for their babies but also important for their own health and wellbeing.

“It reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, lessens the chances of developing osteoporosis, promotes emotional health,  and assists in postpartum weight loss.

"Mothers with diabetes will find that they need less insulin and have more stable blood sugar levels when breastfeeding.

"Moreover, the hormone oxytocin which is released during breastfeeding makes the mother relaxed and induces sleep, which allows the mother to get adequate rest.”

The DHA recommends exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months followed by continued breastfeeding, complemented with other foods, until the baby is two years old or even beyond.

"Women facing difficulties should not begin mixed feeding without meeting a lactation consultant, added Wahba.

Mothers facing breastfeeding difficulties can call the lactation consultant at Dubai hospital on 04-5026169 or Latifa Hospital on 04-2193286 between  7:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Alternatively, mothers can call Dubai hospital's breastfeeding support helpline from 10 am to 10 pm. Arabic helpline: 050-6579525. English helpline: 050-8684417

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