Breastfeeding Flashcards
Why? (Baby)
Protects against SIDS, infection, diabetes, illnesses
Why? (Mother)
Reduces risk of ovarian and cervical cancer, shrinks uterus and exclusive breastfeeding reduces fertility temporarily
Why? (Society)
Breastfeeding promotes health equity
What is so special about breastfeeding?
Milk is specific to baby and is constantly changing to suit the baby’s needs
Contains microbes to help healthy bacteria colonise gut
Helps to coat the baby’s leaky gut so harmful bacteria can not enter
Immunoglobulins in breastmilk
IgM: increases responsiveness to vaccines
IgA: coats the gut and fights against pathogens
IgD: fights illness without causing inflammation
IgG: passive immunity
Barriers to breastfeeding
Lack of education, exposure, support
Societal expectations and beliefs: modesty, breasts are sexualised
