Breastfeeding and expression

Question 1

What are 3 health benefits for the mother breast feeding?

Answer 1

Protects against:
Breast cancer
Ovarian cancer
Osteoporosis

Question 2

What are 3 health benefits for babies from breastfeeding?

Answer 2

Lower risk of:
Obesity
Diabetes
Allergies

Question 3

List the 4 steps in the enterobronchomammary pathway

Answer 3

1- mother exposed to infection
2- white blood cells produce specific antibodies
3- the white blood cells go to the breast and continue producing antibodies
4- antibodies are secreted into breast milk and protect the baby

Question 4

Advantages of breast feeding

Answer 4

Reduces diarrhoea
Increased immunity to infection
Introduces normal gut bacteria

Question 5

What are the 4 steps of the prolactin response?

Answer 5

1-baby suckles
2-sensory impulses travel from nipple to brain
3-prolactin secreted goes via bloodstream to breasts
4-milk secreting cells produce milk

Question 6

What are four steps in the oxytocin reflex?

Answer 6

1- baby suckles
2-sensory impulses pass nipple to brain
3-oxytocin secreted goes via bloodstream to breasts
4-muscle cells contract and expel milk

Question 7

What can stimulate oxytocin secretion?

Answer 7

Touching the baby
Seeing the baby
Hearing the baby cry

Question 8

What can hinder the oxytocin reflex?

Answer 8

Pain/ soreness
Worry/anxiety
Negative feelings

Question 9

How does the presence of a feedback inhibitor (secreted in milk) affect milk production?

Answer 9

It blocks further milk production when there is a build up of milk

Question 10

How does removal of milk affect milk production?

Answer 10

It removes the feedback inhibitor, stimulating more milk production

Question 11

Advantages of skin to skin contact

Answer 11

Shares bodily heat
Stimulates oxytocin
Encourages attachment
Calming

Question 12

What is baby led feeding?

Responsive feeding

Answer 12

Observing cues that the baby is hungry (rooting, head bobbing, reaching) and feeding accordingly

Question 13

What are 3 reflexes the baby has?

Answer 13

Rooting (when something touches it’s lips it opens its mouth and turns its head)
Sucking
Swallowing (when his mouth fills with milk he swallows)

Question 14

What are some signs of good attachment?

Answer 14

Rounded cheeks
Rhythmic sucking
More Areola visible above top lip than below bottom lip 
Nose touching/ close to breast
Chin indenting breast
Lower lip curled back
Wide mouth

Question 15

Signs of ineffective feeding

Answer 15

Baby not gaining weight
Sore nipples
Frustrated baby
Less milk produces (as not being removed)
Baby hungry and crying

Question 16

Positioning of the baby (CHIN)

Answer 16

Hold baby Close
Allow Head to move
Head In line with body
Nose to nipple

Question 17

Why is expressing useful?

Answer 17

Breast comfort (prevent over-fullness, leaking)
Helping baby learn to breast feed (allowing him to taste milk)
Stimulation of milk supply (eg if mother and baby are separated)
Obtaining milk for baby who can’t feed
Enabling someone other than mother to feed the baby

Question 18

How to express

Answer 18

1- massage breast
2- form C shape 2-3 cm from nipple base
3- compress rhythmically without rubbing skin
4-rotate fingers around

Question 19

Difficulties feeding a preterm

Baby

Answer 19

Unable to suckle strongly
Lacks energy
May need nutrients that can’t get from breastfeeding alone

Question 20

How does preterm milk differ to full term milk?

Answer 20

More protein
More calcium+sodium
Less lactose
Higher fat content

Question 21

Why may you cupfeed a preterm baby?

Answer 21

Allow oral experience
Enhance digestion (involving the saliva)
To top up breast feeds if baby isn’t feeding effectively

Question 22

How can you calm a baby?

Answer 22

Skin to skin

Question 23

What is the name of milk secreting cells in the nipple?

Answer 23

Acini cells