Breast Feeding

Breastfeeding

1. Breast feeding

2. Introduction Breast feeding is a optimal source of nutrition. Human milk is specie specific and it provides all the essential nutrients necessary for growth and development of new born infant. WHO recommended exclusive breastfeeding for first 6months of life,and Continuous breastfeeding for 12months.

3. Definition Breastfeeding is feeding an infant or young child with breast milk directly from female human breasts not from baby bottle or other container.

4. Structure of human breast Human breast are modified sweat glands responsible for lactation. It contains adipose tissue & fibrous connective tissue. Different hormones are responsible for development of breast & changes during pregnancy. Hormones responsible for development and enlargement are estrogen, progesterone & prolactin. Each breast contains 20 lobes & each lobe contains several lobules which at the end have alveoli in which milk is produced. Milk production & secretion are majorly by prolactin & oxytocin. After production of milk in alveolus, the milk moves through the ducts and are stored in the lactiferous sinus.

5. Structure of human breast

6. Milk ejection reflex

7. Protection against infections

8. Contraindications of breastfeeding HIV , Human T- lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1 & 11) infections. Active Tuberculosis. Herpes lesions on mother’s breast. Infant with inborn error of metabolism, galactosemia , phenylketonuria. Mothers on certain medications; anticancer therapy, radioactive isotope etc.

9. Disadvantages of Artificial breastfeeding Interferes with bonding More diarrhoea and persistent diarrhoea More frequent respiratory infections Malnutrition; Vitamin A deficiency More allergy and milk intolerance Increased risk of some chronic diseases

10. Obesity Lower scores on intelligence tests Mother may become pregnant sooner Increased risk of anaemia , ovarian cancer, and breast cancer in mother

11. Other options if breastfeeding is not possible Mother can still use her milk, even if she decides not to breast feed: - use a breast pump( electiric / manual ) - cup or bowl feeding - spoon feeding - eye dropper or feeding syringe. - nursing supplementer . - get milk from donation bank .