Breastfeeding Flashcards
What is breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is the process of feeding an infant or young child with breast milk directly from the breast.
What are common issues with breastfeeding?
Cracked/sore nipples: pain, discomfort, visible cracks or sores on nipples.
Blocked duct and breast engorgement: pain, swelling, warmth, redness, lump in the breast.
Mastitis/abscess: fever, intense breast pain, red, swollen, warm breast, malaise, pus or discharge from the nipple.
Thrush: white patches on the tongue or inside of the mouth, pain, discomfort, and difficulty feeding.
Insufficient milk: slow weight gain, fewer than six wet diapers a day, persistent hunger.
What antibiotics are safe to give to breastfeeding mothers?
penicillin-based antibiotics, beta-lactam antibiotics, trimethoprim, azithromycin, cephalosporins, clarithromycin, erythromycin, IV gentamicin, meropenem
Can tetracyclines be used for breastfeeding mothers?
Previously contraindicated but can be given in short courses
What antibiotics are contraindicated?
Ciprofloxacin (potential joint problems), nitrofurantoin (G6PD deficiency), teicoplanin, clindamycin (antibiotic-associated colitis), co-trimoxazole.
What can antibiotics given to the mother cause the baby?
excessively loose motions in the baby, with the appearance of diarrhoea. Some infants appear more unsettled with tummy aches or colic. These effects are not clinically significant and do not require treatment.
What analgesics are safe for breastfeeding mothers?
Paracetamol, ibuprofen, NSAIDs
Dihydrocodeine is the preferred opiate analgesic if mothers need stronger painkillers. This is because it has a cleaner metabolism than codeine and is less associated with adverse effects in the baby. It is frequently used as the drug after caesarean section.
What anlageics are not recommended to breastfeeding mothers?
Aspirin as a painkiller should be avoided because of the increased risk of Reye’s syndrome in paediatric viral infections.
Codeine is no longer recommended as routine medication for breastfeeding mothers
Can breastfeeding mothers drink alcohol?
can have occasional, small amounts of alcohol but should not drink regularly or heavily (e.g. binge drinking) without considering how to limit the baby’s exposure.
Can HIV be transmitted via breastfeeding?
Can pass HIV onto baby during pregnancy and delivery
Anti-retroviral drugs reduce the risk of transmission of HIV through breastfeeding
However, current recommendations advise that HIV-infected mothers should refrain from breastfeeding
Can Hep B and C be transmitted via breastfeeding?
No risk for mother to child transmission of Hepatitis B provided the infant has received appropriate HBV immunoprophylaxis
