Lactation And Feeding
Exclusive Breastfeeding
• According to WHO, exclusive breastfeeding means that the infant receives only breast milk. No other liquids or solids are given – not even water – with the exception of oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrup of vitamin, minerals or madicines
• WHO and UNICEF recommended that children intitate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first six month of life
Type of Breastmilk
• Colostrum
• Colostrum is the first stage of breast milk (lasts for several days after delivery)
• Yellowish in colour and rich in nutrients and antibodies
• High in protein , vitamin A, sodium and chloride, Low in carbohydrate, fat and potassium than the breast milk
• Advantage : Presence of humoral factors (lactoferrin) and antibodies (Iga, igG, IgM ) provide immunity.
• Transitional milk
• Transitional milk replace colostrum within four days after delivery
• It lasts for about two weeks
• Contains more calories than colostrum
• Contains lactose, water-soluble vitamins and high levels of fat
• Mature mik
• Begins to appear at the end of second week after delivery
• it is thinner than transitional milk (90% water)
• Two type mature milk : Foremilk and hindmilk
• Foremilk occurs at the beginning of feeding (contains vitamin, water and protein)
• Hindmilk forms at the end of the feeding (contains higher level of fat which helps in weight gain of the infant)
Benefits of Breastfeeding :
• For baby
• Ideal nutrition for proper growth and development
• Ideal composition of all required nutrition
• Less changes of developing diabetes and obesity
• Presence of antibodies enhance immunity
Contraindications to Breastfeeding
• Mothers on drugs that can be harmful to baby ( e.g., Cytotoxics , radioactive isotopes, etc.)
• Babies with birtt defects such as cleft lip and cleft palate
• Protection against allergic, respiratory and intestinal instructions
For mother :
• Acts as contraceptive (lactation suppress ovulation)
• Improves mother – baby bonding
• Release of oxytocin during breastfeeding helps in uterine involution
• Weight loss
• Reduced the risk of cancer of breast, ovary and endometrium.
Correct Positioning
• The baby’s head and body should be in straight line
• The baby should be facing the breast
• The baby’s nose should be opposite to mother’s nipple
• Hold the baby close to the body
• Support the baby’s whole baby
Sign of good attachment
• Mouth wide open
• Lower lip turned outwards
• Baby’s chin touching breast
• More of areola visible above the baby’s mouth
• Preterm and very ill babies
• Infant is diagnosed with classic galactosemia
• Mothers has suspected or confirmed Ebola virus disease
Some Important Exam Points
• Do not force the baby to take the breast
• Do not interrupt feed before baby wants.
• Do not give any other feeds or water.
• Do not use arterial teats or pacifiers.
• WHO recomends that Mothers known to be HIV- infected (and whose infants are HIV uninfected or of unknown HIV status)
should exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first 6 months of life, introducing appropriate completementary foods there- afther, and continue breastfeeding. (subject to approval by national authorities of countries.)
• In India, National AIDS Contral Organisation (NACO) recommended that HIV-infected women can choose to safety breast feed their infants with ARV drugs against transmission of the HIV virus.
• In USA, HIV infected mothers should not breastfeed their infants.
I hope that you liked this article.
Thanking you!
Writer: (Vandita Singh, Lucknow)