Being a mother is one of the most amazing experiences a woman can have. Debina Bonnerjee, an actor-vlogger who routinely shares snippets of her life with her two daughters, Lianna and Ninudi, is documenting this trip (as she calls her dearly).
In a recent vlog posted on her YouTube channel Debina Decodes, she discussed her breastfeeding experience and sentiments. “In my experience with two children, I have had one with no breast milk production and one with a decent, satisfactory amount of milk production,” she said.
While some women are able to make enough milk to nourish their kids, others are unable to. However, this is nothing to be concerned about, according to Debina. “Many people believe that breast milk is extremely beneficial to children. It most emphatically is. You can’t help it if your breast milk production isn’t happening. At the end of the day, it is how our bodies react, and if our bodies react in a specific way, there is no reason to be upset.”
She went on to say that there is a wide range of formula milk available on the market and that babies that consume it are healthy and robust. “Lianna is an example of that,” remarked the actor.
“The early journey is quite pleasant because when you get to know that you can create your baby’s nourishment, you get so much delight,” Debina said of her breastfeeding adventure with her second daughter. You are prepared to make all of the necessary changes — you eat well and do everything correctly. When the baby begins to drink from you, however, you realise the difficult part of the process since there is a lot of nipple pain and you must sit for a long time. Sitting for long periods of time creates back pain.”
“I’ve been having severe discomfort on the right side of my back. Furthermore, when a baby eats milk directly from the breast, it is difficult to determine if her stomach is full or not,” Debina added.
She then emphasised the need for mothers to take care of their own nutrition. “When the doctor got to know that I am making milk, he suggested I ingest two supplements – iron and calcium. If you don’t take calcium, the milk you produce for the infant, which takes calcium from your bones, will leave you weak and deficient in this important mineral,” she explained.
What can be done to boost breast milk production? “My lactation consultant taught me that it is often believed that eating sago boosts breast milk, but it is actually a myth,” Debina explained, sharing some myths and truths. Cumin water and edible gum are two things that can genuinely assist. Making gond laddoos at home using almonds and dates will aid in increasing breast milk production. Galact and shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) can also be ingested.”
Furthermore, the 39-year-old discussed the self-doubts that a mother experiences while breastfeeding her child. “A breastfeeding mother has a lot of self-doubt, and I do as well. When my baby is gassy or colicky, I immediately worry what I ate and why she is feeling this way. Many women also question if their milk production is decreasing over time. “You don’t have to worry about it because stress can affect your productivity,” she explained.
When Debina noticed redness and markings on her baby’s face, she was advised by multiple ladies that it was due to breastmilk not being cleansed off her daughter’s face. “My doctor recommended to not apply anything over it and it is not happening due of the breast milk. This is happening on its own and will also disappear on its own. So don’t use any oil, soap, or lotion on it,” she said.
