Prenatal: 1st breastfeeding support session during third trimester
myths, colic, pain
During the prenatal session, the Lactation Specialist and Research Coordinator noted a number of fears/worries women were facing: fear of not producing enough breastmilk, fear of pain during breastfeeding, fear of transmitting HIV to their baby, worry that their baby will suffer from colic and worry that others will discover their HIV status if they reveal they are practicing exclusive breastfeeding (exclusive breastfeeding is commonly associated with WLHW in Kenya) [Women also came to the first session with a number of myths and misconceptions about breastfeeding. Among the most common myths was the idea that breastmilk is not enough for baby boys. Many women (10/20) also believed that babies have “plastic teeth” in their gums that should be removed by a traditional healer (an unsafe traditional practice in this region that involves cutting an infant’s gums and/or the removal of an infant’s primary teeth buds) [At the first session, the Lactation Specialist also took time to answer women’s questions, the most common ones being about why one should exclusively breastfeed and what would be the consequence of introducing food, milk or water to their baby before their baby reaches 6-months-old. Several women also asked about why some babies cry “too much”, and what can be done.Though not a primary focus of the planned content, the prenatal visit also became a forum for unanswered questions related to HIV care including maternal adherence to ART and HIV prophylaxis medication for infants as many mothers were unsure about how to administer the medication. The Lactation Specialist reinforced the importance of maternal adherence to ART and demonstrated how to measure out and administer medications to a newborn baby.