BREASTFEEDING
the action of feeding a baby with milk from the breast.
One of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However, nearly 2 out of 3 infants
are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months – a rate that has not improved in 2 decades.
(WHO)
Mnemonics for BREASTFEEDING
• B-Best for babies/ Bonding
• R-reduced incidence of allergies
• E-economical
• A-Always available
• S-Stool is inoffensive and hardly constipated
• T-Temperature is always ideal
• F-Fresh never goes sour
• E-Emotional bonding
• E-easy once established
• D-digested easily
• I-immediately available
• N-Nutritionally optimal
• G-Gastroenteritis Greatly Reduced
Benefits of Breastfeeding to Infants
• Protection against gastrointestinal infections and gastrointestinal development
• Helps in development of immune system
• Helps in cognitive development of the infant
• Infants who are breastfed have reduced risk of infection compared to formula fed infants.
• Breastfed infants have reduced risk of obesity later in life compared to formula fed infants.
• Reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Leukemia and Type 1 Diabetes
• Lower risk of infectious e.g. Otitis media, Lower respiratory tract infection, Diarrheal diseases,
Allergies, Eczema, Meningitis and inflammatory bowel diseases.
• Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests
Benefits of Breastfeeding to Mothers
• Reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers
• Enhance early maternal – infant bond
• Aids involution of the uterus
• Long term breastfeeding helps in loss of the excess weight acquired during pregnancy
• Documented long term effect of breastfeeding includes reduced risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial
cancers.
Socio-Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding
• Income savings
• Reduced risk of infections and diseases hence reduced hospital visits and attendant medical cost
• Mothers are more economically productive since they will spend less time caring for a sick child
MOTHER FAMILY SOCIETY
Reduces post delivery bleeding and Low cost involved Eco-friendly
anemia
Delays next pregnancy and Less illness Human resource development
convenient
Prevent breast and ovarian cancer Family bonding Economy development
Prevent obesity and shapes body
Advantages of Breastfeeding
Barriers to Effective Breastfeeding
• Lack of confidence in mother
• Belief that breast milk is not sufficient
• Lack of adequate support system
• History of previous breast surgery
• Breast engorgement, cracked and sore nipples
• Retractile nipples
• Embarrassment by mother
• Jealousy by siblings
• Chronic illness in mother; psychosis, cancer
Contraindication to Breastfeeding
• Active Tuberculosis
• HIV, HLTV 1 & 11 infections (Adult T-cell lymphoma virus)
• Herpes lesions on mother’s breast
• Infant with inborn error of metabolism; galactosemia, phenylketonuria
• Mothers on certain medications; anticancer therapy, radioactive isotope
Barriers to Bonding
• A bottle places a physical barrier between mom and baby
• Less skin to skin contact
• Less eye contact
• The hormonal connection between the breastfeeding mother and baby cannot be experienced by the
bottle feeding mother
Other Options if Breastfeeding is Not Possible
• Use a breast pump (electric/manual)
• Cup or bowl feeding
• Spoon feeding
• Eyedropper or feeding syringe
• Get milk from donation bank
Breast milk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against
many common childhood illnesses. Provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first
months of life, continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of
the first year, and up to one third during the second year of life
Types and Composition of Human Breast Milk
• COLOSTRUM or Early Milk is produced in the late stage of pregnancy until 4 days after delivery; and
is rich in antibodies
• TRANSITIONAL Milk produced from day 4 – 10 is lower in protein in comparison to Colostrum.
• MATURE Milk is produced from approximately ten days after delivery up until the termination of the
breastfeeding.
How Long to Breastfeed
• Newborns can nurse for 5 – 10 minute per breast; every 2 -3 hours. This comes to about 10 – 12
feedings per day. In the beginning, there is only Colostrum, and there’s not very much of it, so be ready
to feed often but for short durations.
• One month or more: as baby gets older, his stomach will get larger. He will nurse less frequently but
for a longer duration at each feeding session. For example, he may nurse 20 – 40 minute per breast.
• By 6 months, baby may breastfeed for 20 – 40 minutes per breast; 3 – 5 times per day.
Nutrients in Human & Animal Milk
Differences in the Quality of the Proteins in Different Milks
Differences in the Fats of Different Milks
Vitamins in Different Milks
Iron in Milk
Storage of Milk
Breastfeeding Position
Cradle Hold
• Most common position used by mothers
• Infant’s head is supported in the elbow, the back and buttock is
supported by the arm and lifted to the breast
Football Hold Position
• The infant’s is placed under the arm, like holding a football
• Baby’s body is supported with the forearm and the head is
supported with the hand
• Good position after operative procedures
Side Lying Position
• The mother lies on her side propping up her head and shoulder
with pillows
• The infant is also lying down facing the mother
• Good position after Caesarean section
• Allows the new mother some rest
• Most mothers are scared of crushing the baby
Cross Cradle Hold Position
• Mother holds the baby crosswise in the crook of the arm
opposite the breast where the infant is to be fed
• The baby’s trunk and head are supported with the forearm and
palm
• The other hand is placed beneath the breast in a U-shaped to
guide the baby’s mouth to your breas
Australian Hold Position
• This is also called the saddle hold
• Usually used for older infants
• Not commonly used by mothers
• Best used in older infants with runny nose, ear infection
