Breastfeeding and heat

The season of oppressive heat has arrived, and those who suffer most are the little ones, especially those who are still breastfeeding. Babies are certainly more prone to heatstroke or dehydration. This is where breastfeeding becomes vitally important. The milk produced by the mother is not only a nutritious food for the breastfed baby, but also a living tissue that provides and promotes health through its enormous benefits, favoring neurodevelopment and the immune system, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and asthma, among others.

It is well known that breast milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs, in a balanced way, for proper development during the first months of life. In addition to containing proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, one of its main components, accounting for more than 80%, is water. In line with this, it is recommended that nursing mothers drink 2 to 3 liters of water per day, mainly to avoid dehydration.

It is still recommended not to consume excessive amounts of chemical beverages such as caffeine, which are central nervous system stimulants, and to restrict the consumption of alcohol and energy drinks, as they can easily pass into breast milk and be absorbed by the infant.

It should be noted that maternal nutrition and hydration do not limit milk production, which is determined by hormonal stimuli and the baby's sucking, among other stimuli. However, it is true that some foods and even medications can act as galactagogues (substances that stimulate milk production). Our recommendation will always be to evaluate the technique and ensure that the mother is properly advised by a team of health professionals with knowledge of breastfeeding.

Returning to the initial topic, in high temperatures, frequent breastfeeding is recommended to hydrate the baby, rather than replacing breast milk with water. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and scientific societies, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life, followed by complementary feeding until 2 years of age or older. Based on the above, babies do not need water or other foods at an early age. On the contrary, the recommendation is to continue breastfeeding and gradually introduce well-cooked foods with soft textures first, and then gradually observe tolerance. As for water consumption, it is recommended to gradually introduce between 30 and 60 milliliters starting at six months of age, ideally low in sodium.

In conclusion, it is understood that children do not choose the specific time for breastfeeding, but rather that it is a practice that should occur spontaneously and facilitate the connection between mother and baby. Although culturally it is recommended that breastfeeding take place in a quiet environment, in practice it is important that the mother and baby are integrated into their family routine and that breastfeeding is socially accepted as the natural and ideal way to feed without barriers or restrictions, whether in a waiting room, an office, or on public transportation.

Cecilia Baston

*Joint Inpatient Coordinator Physician at Medical Center .

Source: Profile