Breastfeeding (Part 1)

Today, I had an opportunity to work in the Maternity Ward. First thing that comes in mind when one says maternity, people will think of woman who give birth. Since this opportunity arises, I would like to share about Breastfeeding.

What is Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is the feeding of an infant or young child with breast milk directly from human breasts (i.e., via lactation) rather than from a baby bottle or other container. Babies have a sucking reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk. Most mothers can breastfeed for six months or more, without the addition of infant formula or solid food.

1. Recommended by The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to all mothers
2. Exclusively for babies from birth to 6 months and to continue breastfeeding with complementary food up to 2 years or longer.

Benefits to infant/baby

1. Perfect nutrition for baby
2. Colostrum, mother's first milk contains antibodies and is the body's first immunization against bacteria and viruses. (Colostrum:- First secretion from the breast, occurring shortly after or sometimes before, birth, prior to the secretion of true milk. It is relatively clear fluid containing serum, white blood cells and protective antibodies.)
3. Reduces incidences such as cough, cold, ear infection, bronchitis, pneumonia and meningitis.
4. Prevents baby colic and lowers the risk of gastrointestinal infection and diarrhea. (Baby colic:- [also known as infant colic, three-month colic, infantile colic and colic] is a condition in which an otherwise healthy baby cries or screams frequently and for extended periods without any discernible reason.)
5. Protects baby from asthma, eczema, colds and food allergies (atopy).
6. Lowers the risk of baby developing juvenile diabetes and heart disease
7. Enhances IQ level

Benefits to mother

1. Promotes mother and child bonding.
2. Helps to contract uterus and prevent uterine bleeding in the mother after delivery
3. Reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in mother
4. Convenient anywhere at anytime

Benefits of early feeding

1. Initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible after delivery or within 60-90minutes after birth
2. Helps mother to have skin to skin contact with her baby to help stimulate milk flow

Importance of rooming-in

• promotes bonding between mother and baby
• rooming in encourades breastfeeding on demand
• mother will learn to recognise the baby's needs and respond immediately
• maternal closeness will keep baby warm and cozy

Sources:

a) Penang Adventist Hospital booklet of Breastfeeding

b) www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breastfeeding

c) Oxford Fajar Dictionary of Nursing (Malaysian Edition)