Chapter 12: Breastfeeding Flashcards
- What are the positive impacts of addressing breastfeeding in the media?
- How has breastfeeding generally been portrayed in the media?
- Breastfeeding in the media can play an important role in providing informational and emotional support to mothers about breastfeeding. It can also spread awareness about the importance of breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding is generally is portrayed in a positive way, however the portrayals are limited–> making jokes, not showing continued breastfeeding (in older children)–> this reinforces myths
- Why is breast milk specific specific?
2. Why is breast milk so important for infants?
- it is made to meet the specific needs of the newborn and to encourage their growth and development
- provides nutrients for optimal growth and development, protects from diseases, adopts to the needs of the infant
What is colostrum?
a sticky yellow milk at the end of pregnancy which is perfect for the newborn –> contains antibodies, high in proteins and fats
Explain the 4 hormones involved in breastfeeding:
- estrogen and progesterone = prep the mother’s breast to make milk; high levels during pregnancy and low after
- prolactin = help breasts make milk; low during pregnancy but high after birth
- oxytocin = releases milk from the posterior pituitary gland and causes contractions of the cells to release the milk for the baby; lowers blood pressure, decreases cortisol and activates areas of the brain responsible for nurturing and bonding
What does WHO and UNICEF recommend about breastfeeding?
- early initiation of breastfeeding (within 1 hr after birth)
- exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months of life
- introduction of solid foods at 6 months - 2 yrs or beyond
A new mother has a confirmed case of covid-19. Her friends recommend that she stop breastfeeding immediately so that her newborn does not get sick. If you are a doctor, what would you recommend for her to do?
If she has covid-19 she should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the costs of transmission and at the same time, the mother is producing antibodies that can be passed onto the child for protection against the virus
- only __% of infants less than 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed and this hasn’t improved in 2 decades
- __ in __ babies are not breastfed in the first hr of life
- only 41% of infants less than 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed and this hasn’t improved in 2 decades
- 3 in 5 babies are not breastfed in the first hr of life
More than 820,000 children could be saved yearly if children ages 0-23 months were breastfed. Why is this the case?
The first 2 years of life are critical as optimal nutrition decreases the risk of morbidity and mortality and decreases the risk of chronic disease
- breastfeeding initiation rates have increased in Canada from less than __% to __%
- __% of women stop breastfeeding before their infant is 1 month old.
- breastfeeding initiation rates have increased in Canada from less than 25% to 90%
- 25% of women stop breastfeeding before their infant is 1 month old.
what are the 2 common reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding before 6 months?
- not enough milk
- difficulty with technique
why is breastfeeding considered the ideal food for infants?
- safe, clean and has antibodies
- energy and nutrients
- improves development
What are some short term benefits of breastfeeding?
- decreased mortality
- decreased diarrhea and infection
- reduce risk of sudden infant death syndrome
- reduce pain
___ and ____ are present in breastmilk and can have anti-inflammatory effects to help with pain in infants
oxytocin and lactoferrin
skin to skin contact is often referred to as _____. Skin to skin contact can help improve parent infant ____
kangaroo care, bonding
What are the longterm benefits of breastfeeding?
- reduce risk of childhood cancer
- reduce risk of asthma
- increased cognitive development
- reduce risk of obesity
- reduce risk of diabetes