Breastfeeding

Question 1

The first feed (6 things)

Answer 1

Expect the baby to take their time working through the 7 steps prior to suckling
Feed may last 5+ minutes, may be start/stop/start
Expect the baby to fall into a pattern of rhythmic suckling
Baby may unlatch itself from the breast, then re-latch and feed again shortly afterwards
May fall asleep whilst on the breast, then awake and begin suckling again
Even after the feed, baby may not want to be put down in the cot

Question 2

Value of colostrum (4 things)

Answer 2

Concentrated version of breast milk (concentrated nutrition)
Packed with protective factors
Small volumes - intentionally
Laxative effect - to clear meconium

Question 3

Benefits of breastfeeding for baby

Answer 3

Natural form of protection against a range of illnesses, including infection, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and SIDS

Question 4

Benefits of breastfeeding for mother

Answer 4

Natural form of protection against breast and ovarian cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis
Exclusive breastfeeding temporarily reduces fertility, to enable birth spacing

Question 5

Benefits of breastfeeding for society

Answer 5

Provides the best start in life, mitigates the effects of poverty that a baby may be born into - promotes health equity
823,000 child deaths and 20,000 maternal deaths could be prevented each year

Question 6

Benefits of human milk (3 things)

Answer 6

Matched to the needs of the baby - constituents change dependent upon when the baby is born, its age and the environment that it lives in
Has live constituents - as it hasn’t been pasteurised, it has live microbes (essential in colonising the baby with health bacteria)
Protects the baby’s gut - newborn babies have a ‘leaky’ gut which harmful bacteria can latch onto. Human milk coats the wall of the gut to prevent harmful bacteria from colonising

Question 7

IgM

Answer 7

Increases responsiveness to the vaccination compared to formula fed babies

Question 8

IgA

Answer 8

The first line of defence against pathogens that invade humans from mucosa - coats the gut wall and protects the mucosal surfaces against entry of pathogenic bacteria and enteroviruses

Question 9

IgD

Answer 9

Combats disease without causing inflammation

Question 10

IgE

Answer 10

Small quantities in breastmilk for a longer period than in cows milk

Question 11

Enabling lactation and breastfeeding (6 things)

Answer 11

Keep mother and baby together
Help mothers to recognise cues
Allow unrestricted, frequent feeds
Support mothers to breastfeed at night
Avoid supplements
Use dummies with caution