Breastfeeding Flashcards
What is colostrum?
Thick yellow fluid produced from the breast from about 20 weeks gestation. It has a high concentration of secretory IgA, and is rich in proteins that play an important part in gut maturation and immunity in the infant
How soon after delivery should skin-to-skin contact start after delivery?
ASAP - early contact increases breast-feeding within first 2h after birth and increases duration of breast-feeding when compared with delay
How often is breast feeding required?
Varies widely - demand feeding is the best approach as it prevents immediate weight loss post-partum in the neonate and prevents maternal engorgement
What are the GI benefits of breast feeding in the infant?
Exclusively breast fed - Experience less GI morbiditiy for GI infection than those with mixed feeds
What are the benefits of breast milk against infection?
Provide passive immunity - protects against UTI’s, Resp infection
What haematological benefits are there to breast feeding?
Reduces risk of developing childhood ALL, hodgkin’s disease and neuroblastoma
What are the benefits of breast feeding to the mother?
- Helps uterine involution and reduces risk of PPH
- Provides lactational amenorrhoea/contraception
- Protects against premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis
What problems can occur when breastfeeding?
- Breast engorgement
- Mastitis - obstruction of milk drainage
- Breast abscess
- Sore/cracked nipples
What can cause mastitis when breastfeeding?
- Restriction of feeding
- Badly positioned baby
- Blocked ducts
- Small bra
What drugs are generally contraindicated in breastfeeding?
- Amiodarone
- Chloramphenicol
- Ergotamine/Cabergoline/Ergot alkaloids
- Methotrexate
- Lithium
- Tetracyclines
- Alcohol
- Cocaine
- Caffeine
- Idoine
- ACEi
Can HIV be transmitted through breast-feeding?
Yes - dependent on viral load, duration of breastfeeding and presence of breast lesions/neonatal oral lesions
Should individuals with herpes simplex virus breast feed?
Yes - if there are no breast lesions
If a mother has chickenpox whilst breastfeeding, should she continue breastfeeding?
Yes - provides antibodies against chickenpox virus for the infant
