According to a recent study by Mylo to commemorate the World Breastfeeding Week, more than 90 per cent mothers don’t seek help from lactation experts or access milk banks, even if they are facing difficulties.
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from August 1 to 7, as part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This year, they are aiming to educate people—families, partners, workplaces, government as well as health organisations—on how to support nursing mothers.
The study revealed that around 83 per cent of Indian women face some challenge or the other while breastfeeding. Half of the nursing mothers face physical issues such as incorrect latching, sore nipples, insufficient production of breastmilk and more. Out of all these women, only a mere seven per cent sought professional support.
Most nursing mothers relied on friends and family or information available online for help. Around 46 per cent of women said they used baby formula as a supplement and while they were aware of milk banks, only five per cent accessed them. Many women said they didn’t have milk banks close to their area.
The study revealed that around 40 per cent of women use breast pumps so their baby is fed even when they are not around. This gives women the freedom to be away for work without worry. It also helps women (25 per cent) who are uncomfortable to breastfeed in public areas.
Shaveta Gupta, head of content and community, Mylo, said, “To educate nursing moms, the Mylo app provides free access to expert-verified videos and articles. To further support them, the clinic section on the app provides lactation expert consultation services. This breastfeeding week, Mylo has also launched a tech solution providing easy information and access to milk banks across India. Understanding and acting on the survey results, Mylo will offer free consultations with lactation experts this complete month, to help nursing moms to overcome any challenges they may be experiencing in their breastfeeding journey.”