Course Outline:

BREASTFEEDING
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Definition is the feeding of an infant or young child with breast milk directly from female human breast rather than from a baby bottle or other
container.
Exceptions (due to the compromised quality of mothers breastmilk)
a. Taking in certain drugs such as methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, methadone
b. HIV/TB or any viral infections to consider
c. Smoking mothers
d. Alcoholic drinkers or even caffeinated drinks
Benefits for the Infant
a. Greater Immune Health During breastfeeding, antibodies are pass to the baby. Breastmilk contains anti-infective factors such as bile salt
stimulated lipase (against amoebic infections), Lactoferrin (binds to iron and inhibits intestinal bacterial growth) and immunoglobulin A against
microorganisms.
b. Fewer Infections Shorter duration of some middle ear infections in the first 2 years of life, half incidence of diarrhea, reduce symptoms of upper
respiratory tract infections in premature infants to 7 months, reduce risk of acquiring UTI from birth to 7 months.
c. Protection from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) better arousal from sleep at 2-3 months. Halved the incidence of SIDS from ages 0-1 year
old.
d. Higher Intelligence have small long-term benefits for child cognitive development, presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as
docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid which are linked for early brain development.
e. Less Diabetes less chance of developing DM type 1 and DM type 2.
f. Less Childhood Obesity due to the following factors, baby is bottlefed, parents may encourage an infant to finish the contents of the bottle
whereas when breastfeeding, an infant naturally developes self-regulation of milk intake.
g. Less tendency to develop allergies
h. Less necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants
i. Less Overweight
Benefits for mothers
a. Inexpensive it is a cost effective way of feeding an infant, providing nourishment for a child at a small cost. Frequent and exclusive breastfeeding
can delay return of fertility through lactational amenorrhea, imperfect means of birth control.
b. Bonding an hormones release helps strengthen maternal bond.
c. Weight Loss fat accumulated during pregnancy is used to produce milk, extended breastfeeding at least 6 months can help mothers lose weight.
d. Natural Postpartum Infertility Suppresses ovulation. It is called Lactational Amenorrhea Method.
e. Long Term Health Effects Less risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer, coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, beneficial to
diabetic mothers which requires less insulin, metabolic syndrome, post-partum bleeding, rheumatoid arthritis.

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f. Involution early return of the fundus to its prepregnant state.

Time and Place for Breastfeeding feeding the baby on demand helps to maintain milk production and ensure the babys needs for milk and confort are
being met. Rooming-in can be, or other institutions which provide place for breastfeeding.
Diet during breastfeeding no small amount of alcohol, wait for atleast 2hours before breastfeeding if mother has taken single alcoholic drink, limit
caffeine intake t not more than 300 milligrams.
Breastfeeding difficulties
a. Physiologic constraints
b. Social-cultural constraints
Common Breastfeeding Positions
a. The Cradle Hold the most frequently used breastfeeding position is the cradle or cuddle, hold.
i. Steps:
1. Place the bay across the stomach, tummy to tummy. Babys face and knees should be close into, and facing the mothers body.
2. Babys head should be in the bend of the elbow, with the mouth directly infront of the nipple.
3. Babys body should be in straight line from ear to shoulder and to the hip. Tack the baby around the waist.
b. Football or Clutch Hold positions works well with mothers who had CS sections, small babies, mothers experiencing difficulty on one side,
mothers with large breasts, mothers with flat nipples, babies who are having problems lathing on.
i. Steps.
1. Lie baby beside the mother, put pillows to support baby and mothers arm.
2. With babys head will be in the palm of the mothers hand and babys back will lay on your inner forearm.
3. Tuck feet slightly behind you.
c. The tailor position is great for older babies and toddlers. Place pillow on the lap to raise a smaller infant up to the right level.
d. The cross cradle hold is a good position for feeding a small or prematurely baby.
i. Babys position will be the same as in the cradle hold, but the mother will be holding the baby in the arm opposite the breast from which she
will latch onto.
ii. As in the cradle hold, make sure the baby is at the level of the breast, with the body turned toward the mother.
e. The Lying down hold is very useful, when mother sleeps with the baby.
i. Lie on one side and support head and back with pillows so that mother will also be comfortable.
ii. Line the baby up with her tummy to that of the mother. The nipple should be opposite the babys mouth. If still very young, place a pillow or
rolled up blanket behind baby to keep her from rolling back.
Latching On
a. The baby faces the mother, with nose opposite the nipple and neck slightly extended. When the baby is brought to the breast, the babys mouth
should touch the nipple and will gape if the infant is already to feed.
b. When the babys mouth is open wide, the mother should aim her nipple toward the roof of the babys mouth, bringing the baby swiftly to her breast
with a firm but
Signs of Good Latch-on

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a. Audible Swallowing
b. Chin Touching the breast
c. Mouth open wide
d. Lower lip turned outward
e. More areola visible above than below the mouth.
Nutrition during Lactation.
a. Iron-replenish blood supply, prevent fatigue, loss of appetite, and lightheadedness. Found in meat, chicken, pork, and fish, dried beans, and peas,
breads, green leafy vegetables.
b. Folic Acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects. Found in fruits, green leafy vegetables, dried beans and legumes and folic acid fortified food such
as rice, breads and flour.
c. Vitamin D. Important in babys bone growth found in fish, milk, eggs.
d. Fluids important in replenishing fluid loss during breastfeeding.
e. Calcium to replenish maternal calcium stores found in milk cheese tofu dark green leafy vegetables.
f. Vitamin C enhances iron absorption and strengthens immune system found in citrus fruits, juices.