Important points to know related to breast feeding

Important points to know related to breast feeding

Since breast feeding is a very important aspect towards the baby’s nutrition it is a very essential to have a good knowledge on proper positioning and other problems related to breast feeding.

How to hold the baby during breast feeding

—  Let the baby to find the nipple and grasp it

—  Help the mother to hold the breast

—  Touch the baby’s chin with the nipple

—  Express few drops of colustrum/milk

—  Baby should grasp more than the nipple/ not only the nipple areola area as well

—  Baby’s lips should in contact with the areola

—  Baby’s mouth should be fully opened

—  Press the breast with a finger allowing breathing space 

Following picture shows how the baby’s mouth should be opened and attach to the breast properly

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Blausen_0118_Breastfeeding_CorrectLatch-On_02.png

Better positions for the mother

Mother can use sitting, sideline position. When use sitting position also there are three standard methods to hold the baby as follows.

Source: http://romanceonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/breastfeeding-positions.jpg

How to care of the breasts

—  Daily washing

—  Provide good support to the breast

—  If breasts are engorged – observe and early identification of any redness, warmth, oedema initially and apply warmth

—  manual expression if after the feeding if excess is there

—  To reduce swelling and pain - keep ice

—  Be sure to break suction before removing the baby from the breast

Difficulties due to mother

—  Inadequate supply of milk

—  Baby is not sucking

—  Breast conditions – mastitis like infections, breast engorgement

—  Anxiety and stress

—  Poor attachment to the breast due to not maintain the proper position

—  Nipple conditions- cracked nipple, sore nipple, inverted nipple

Difficulties due to mother

Low-birth weight baby

Temporary illness

—  Cerebral irritation

—  Nasal obstruction due to congestion

—  Lethargy due to jaundice

Over distension of the stomach with swallowed air

—  Prevent by frequent burping

Cleft palate

Contraindications to breast feeding

• Drugs used for cancer, certain hormones, radioactive isotopes
• HIV infection
• Chronic medical illness
• Puerperal psychosis
• Suspended when the mother is treated with metronidazole and chloramphenicol

Features of under feeding and over feeding

Features of underfeeding

• Failure of the infant to gain weight
• Cry in between feeds and at night
• Constipation
• Scanty high coloured urine

Features of overfeeding

• Usually occurs at the end of the first week
• Vomiting soon after feeding
• Frequent, loose, bulky stools with undigested curds and fat
• Variable weight curve