Breast feeding

Breast feeding

Breast feeding is the feeding of an infant or young child with breast milk directly from female human breasts (i.e., via lactation) not from a baby bottle or other container.

Lactation

From the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy (the second and third trimesters), a woman's body produces hormones that stimulate the growth of the breast's milk duct system, which includes:
Estrogen stimulates the ductile systems to grow, then estrogen levels drop after birth
Progesterone increases the size of alveoli and lobes
Prolactin contributes to increasing the breast tissue during pregnancy

Lactation

After birth, the following hormones are produce during breastfeeding
Prolactin levels rise with nipple stimulation
Alveolar cells make milk in response to prolactin when the baby sucks
Oxytocin causes the alveoli to squeeze the newly produced milk into the duct system

HOW BREAST MILK IS PRODUCED

Infant suckling stimulates the nerve endings in the nipple and areola, which signal the pituitary gland in the brain to release two hormones, prolactin and oxytocin.

• Prolactin causes alveoli to take nutrients (proteins, sugars) from blood supply and turn them into breast milk.
• Oxytocin causes the cells around the alveoli to contract and eject milk down the milk ducts.
This passing of the milk down the ducts is called the “ milk ejection or let-down” reflex.

Lactation

Latch On and sucking

Oxytocin Release

Releases Milk

Infant Empties Breast

Production Increases

Milk Production Occurs

Interference with this cycle decreases the milk supply.


Let down reflux occurs in response to the baby's suckling, though it also may be a conditioned response, e.g. to the cry of the baby. Lactation can also be induced by a combination of physical and psychological stimulation, by drugs or by a combination of these methods.

Types of milks

COLOSTRUM
Small amount for the immature digestive system
‘paints’ the digestive tract
Low fat for easy digestion
Contains mothers antibodies which boost infants’ immune system
Acts as a laxative to ease passage of meconium

The milk comes in

Transitional milk for up to 2 weeks
May still have yellow appearance
Amounts increase quickly as infant hungers and digestive system matures
Mother's" milk making” changes from endocrine to autocrine system
Mature milk
Supply/demand system, engorgement decreases
Properties of fore milk and hind milk present

10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

• Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
• Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
• Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
• Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within half an hour of birth.
• Show mothers how to breastfeed, and how to maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants.

6. Give the newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.

7. Practice rooming-in - that is, allow mothers and infants to remain together - 24 hours a day.

8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.

9. Give no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to breastfeeding infants.

10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.

BREAST MILK CONTENTS

• Proteins: Human milk contains two types of proteins: whey and casein. Approximately 60% is whey, while 40% is casein.
• Lactoferrin inhibits the growth of iron-dependent bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Secretory IgA also works to protect the infant from viruses and bacteria, specifically those that the baby, mother, and family are exposed to. It also helps to protect against E. Coli and possibly allergies. Other immunoglobulins, including IgG and IgM, in breast milk also help protect against bacterial and viral infections.


• Lysozyme is an enzyme that protects the infant against E. Coli and Salmonella. It also promotes the growth of healthy intestinal flora and has anti-inflammatory functions.
• Bifidus factor supports the growth of lactobacillus that protects the baby against harmful bacteria by creating an acidic environment where it cannot survive.

• Fats:

• It is necessary for brain development, absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and is a primary calorie source.
• Long chain fatty acids are needed for brain, retina, and nervous system development. They are deposited in the brain during the last trimester of pregnancy and are also found in breast milk.

• Vitamins: The amount and types of vitamins in breast milk is directly related to the mother’s vitamin intake. Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are all vital to the infant’s health. Water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, and panthothenic acid are also essential.
• Carbohydrates:
• Lactose is the primary carbohydrate found in human milk.. Lactose helps to decrease the amount of unhealthy bacteria in the stomach, which improves the absorption of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. It helps to fight disease and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the stomach.

BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING TO MOTHER

• This promotes mother and child bonding.
• It prevents uterine bleeding in the mother after delivery.
• This is a natural form of Family Planning.
• This reduces the risks of breast and ovarian cancer in the mother.
• This saves time and precious expenses need not be used for buying milk powder and health care.

BENEFITS BREASTFEEDING FOR BABY

• This provides the best possible nutrient to the young child.
• It reduces the incidence of coughs and colds, ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, meningitis and diarrhea through its protective factors.
• It protects the child from colic, asthma, eczema, nose and food allergies.
• It is essential for the optimal physical, emotional and mental development of the child. Breastfed child are also smarter.


HOW LONG TO BREASTFEED
• Newborns can nurse (colostrum) for 5 to 10 minute per breast; every 2 to 3 hours. This comes to about 10 to 12 feedings per day.

• One month or more: baby will nurse less frequently but for a longer duration at each feeding session. For example, he may nurse 20 to 40 minute per breast every 3 to 4 hours.

• By 6 months, Baby may breastfeed for 20 to 40 minutes per breast; 3 to 5 times per day.

CONTRAINDICATION TO BREASTFEEDING

• Active /untreated TB
• Mom takes radioactive compound(cancer for chemo)
• HIV infection
• Inborn errors of metabolism (PKU)

SIGNS THAT THE BABY IS GETTING ENOUGH BREAST MILK.

• He is contented for 1-2 hours after a feed
• He passes clear dilute urine 5-6 times a day
• He passes bright yellow watery stools 6-8 times a day.
• He regains birth weight after 2weeks

BREAST MILK SUPPLY CAN BE INCREASED BY:

• Frequent feeds day and night
• Allowing unlimited breastfeeding to satisfy baby’s suckling needs.
• Mother to eat and drink sufficient quantities to satisfy baby’s suckling her hunger and thirst.
• Cultural foods like ginger and rice are compatible with breastfeeding.


BREAST MILK STORAGE/THAWING:
• Unless being used immediately, refrigerate it within 1 hour.
• Thaw/warm the milk in container of lukewarm water or running water.
• Once milk is thawed, it should be used within 24 hours.
• Once milk is warmed and not used for the feeding, it should be discarded.
Place of storage Temperature
Maximum storage time: In a room 25°C 77°F Six to eight hours
Insulated thermal bag with Up to 24 hours an ice packs :
In a refrigerator 4°C 39°F Up to five days
Freezer compartment -15°C 5°F Two weeks inside a refrigerator
A combined refrigerator -18°C 0°F Three to six months and freezer with separate doors Chest or upright manual -20°C -4°F Six to twelve months defrost deep freezer

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