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Most mothers wait anxiously throughout the 9 months of pregnancy, so that after delivery they can breastfeed their baby and feel the pleasure of this moment. But some suffer from many difficulties or even are unable to feed their baby for several reasons.
What is Cross-Breastfeeding?
Cross-breastfeeding is the act of a woman who is still breastfeeding, breastfeeding another mother’s baby, who for some reason is unable to breastfeed. As much as it seems like an optimal solution and a beautiful gesture, it is not and there are many risks in this type of option.
Today it is proven that there are many risks behind cross-breastfeeding, and that is why it was prohibited by law in Brazil by the Ministry of Health . Therefore, if the mother is unable to breastfeed her baby, other methods are offered in order to resolve the situation.
Risks of Cross-Breastfeeding
It is proven that cross-breastfeeding can be very dangerous for the baby, one of the biggest risks is the baby being infected by some disease that can be passed through milk, such as hepatitis B, AIDS , hepatitis C , herpes virus , mononucleosis and also other viral diseases like rubella , mumps and measles .
Even if there is no evidence that the use of certain medications harms the baby’s health. And as much as the milk mother looks good and healthy, be it her acquaintance or even her family, she may have some asymptomatic illness that she may not even know about.
For this reason, cross-breastfeeding is still a great risk for the baby, as diseases pass through the milk and the baby does not yet have the necessary antibodies to fight any type of disease, bacteria or infection.
We know that breast milk is a food rich in antibodies, vitamins, meeting all nutritional needs . Which is important even in the formation of the immune system and to prevent allergies and intolerances, being the best for each baby at the beginning of their lives.
However, breast milk is unique and appropriate for each baby, the woman’s body will recognize what her child needs and produce a specific milk for the baby, and may pose risks to the health of the baby if breastfed by another woman.
What Are Milk Banks?
The Human Milk Banks (HMB) are linked to children’s hospitals and maternity hospitals, which help breastfeeding, making several babies receive the necessary milk to grow strong and healthy.
Unfortunately not all people know this information, but in Brazil there are more than 215 Milk Banks , and it is a great indication of doctors for moms who are with a lot of milk production or who have milk left over, is that they make the donation of this milk to Milk Banks .
The big difference between the milk of the Banco de Leite for milk that is donated directly by another mother, is that these banks have a careful record to receive donations, a great criterion of hygiene and control, not to mention that several tests are carried out to check if the donor has no disease or anything that could harm the baby.
If your baby is in need of milk or for some reason is unable to breastfeed, look for a milk bank closest to your home. However much the milk is from another woman, there is a pasteurization process leaving the milk free of any impurity and suitable for the baby’s consumption, and without the risks of cross-breastfeeding.
One of the ways you can avoid cross-breastfeeding is to be able to breastfeed your baby with your milk, thus staying out of the risks of cross-breastfeeding. Let’s list some tips that can help you produce more milk while breastfeeding.
How to Produce More Milk?
Massaging the breasts at the end of pregnancy can be a good way to help the milk get down. One of the ways to massage is to make circular movements around the nipple slowly, repeating 5 times. This massage will help in the circulation making the milk flow down.
Another way is to massage by placing both hands on each side of the breast and making movements towards the beak, and doing the opposite with one hand below and the other above the breast, in the same way. It can be done 1 to 3 times a day.
Maintaining a good diet – A good diet can make all the difference in your milk production, it is always good to take care of your diet and eat the right amount of food that has Omega-3.
Eating fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, vitamins, minerals, whole grains, maintaining a good diet during pregnancy will make your milk production more regulated, and it is important to maintain a healthy diet throughout the breastfeeding period as well.
Drink lots of water – Staying hydrated during breastfeeding is essential. It is important to drink at least 3 liters of water a day, which helps to avoid the famous swelling and that annoying urinary tract infection that normally occurs during pregnancy.
Following some medical recommendations and even from mothers and grandmothers, it is possible to have a full breastfeeding with lots of milk. If in doubt, talk to your baby’s pediatrician and see the best way to solve your difficulties.
See also: Donate Glass, Donate Life – Bottle Donation Campaign
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
