Current Recommendations for Infant Feeding
optimal method of feeding infants
breastfeeding
What is exclusive breastfeeding?
Only breastmilk
* Includes: Breastmilk fed from the breast and expressed breastmilk with inclusion of supplements and medicine
* not including: water, formula other liquids or solids
Benefits of breastfeeding for the Infant
Benefits of breastfeeding for the mother
Lactation
breasfeeding
the process of nourishing an infant at the breast
What is the main organ of lactation and breastfeeding?
Mammary glands
* alveolus is active machinary
* contractile unit to get milk out
Where do lactation materials come from?
“Raw materials” supplied by maternal circulation (maternal stores, diet) and may be transported in and out of aveolar gland cells or “processed” in the gland cells and then final product secreted into ducts in centre of cluster of alveoli
What are the stages of lactation?
Key hormone of lactation
Prolactin
* levels rise from early pregnancy and develop secretory portions of gland
What occurs in stage I lactation?
What occurs in stage II lactation?
3-10 days post-partum
* secretory activation and transitional milk
* increased blood flow and glucose uptake –
“milk comes in” reflecting supply and demand
What occurs in stsge III lactation?
~10 days post-partum
* mature milk
Initiation of the FIRST lactation
At delivery of placenta, abrupt ↓ in human placental lactogen, estrogen and progesterone
* removal of estrogen and progsterone are triggers for milk secretion
What hormones maintain lactation?
Role of prolaction
stimulates milk production
* levels high in first weeks, gradually decline but rise with sucking
Role of oxytocin
release of milk
* stimulated by sucking, sound of baby crying, sex etc.
* triggers contraction of myoepithelial cells to permit milk ejection = let-down reflex
What is important about environment for oxytocin?
mother breastfeeding needs to be in a relaxed environment as stress can reduce stimulus
How much breastmilk is produced?
Production related to demand
* Increased production in feeding multiples
* Production is not dependent on breast size
Basic principles of breastfeeding
Early infant cues of hunger
hands to mouth, head movement
* crying is not an early cue
Key to optimal breastfeeding?
Correct positioning of baby and correct latching
* allows baby to get milk and should not be painful
What is “the art” of sucking?
When “letdown” induced, sucking becomes slow, rhythmic
* suck-swallow-breathe pattern