Management of Breastfeeding Problems in Iranian Traditional Medicine

Undoubtedly, breast milk enjoys the best nutrient combination for the growth of human children (1). Exclusive breast feeding has also been reported in the first 4 and 6 months of life in 57% and 28% of infants, respectively (2). Low and dried-up milk supply are of the major problems encountered in breastfeeding, for which some mothers, despite their propensity, are not able to breastfeed their baby. Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) provides very useful recommendations and guidelines for health protection. In the ITM literature the terms "morzaeh", “erza’” and “reza’”are used to mean “lactating woman”, “breastfeeding” and “breastfed baby or infant”, respectively (3). From this perspective, milk is produced by blood through digestion of food taken by mother and the quantity and quality of the food eaten influenced the milk (4). Breast milk should be given to a child at intervals so as to protect him from stomach fullness and bloating. General weakness and mouth deformation of babies and syphilis, tuberculosis, dementia, and epilepsy in mothers are contraindications to breastfeeding (5). If breastfeeding is harmful to baby’s health it is recommended to hire a wet nurse until the problem would be solved (6). The best foods are those which cause to produce perfect "Humor" (thick semi fluid mass which is called in the ITM texts as "Khelt") such as wheat, rice, corn, the flesh of lamb and kid, fresh fish, mung bean, vegetables like lettuce and spinach, and dry fruits like almond and hazelnut. Aged, dry, stale or salted beef, cress, mustard and mountain basil and peppermint are not good (6). Milk is considered appropriate if it has moderate consistency and volume, white color, pleasant smell, sweet taste, similar components (homogeneous) and less froth. Dark and green color colored milk shows dominance of black bile, yellow colored milk and its sharp and spicy flavor indicates dominant yellow bile. Salty taste of milk implies dominance of yellow bile or phlegm, and its sour taste shows the presence of phlegm or sour black bile. Condensed milk coming out from the breast in threads indicates the dominance of black bile as well (4). Some recommendation for inappropriate breast milk is presented.