Feeding ☺️

Question 1

Advantages of breastfeeding

• mother
• immunological

Answer 1

Mother

• bonding
• uterus involution
• breast, ovarian cancer protection
• cheap, no need for sterilisation
• contraceptive effect (don’t rely on this)

Immunological

• IgA, lysozymes (bacteriolytic enzyme), lactoferrin (rapid Fe absorption)
• reduced ear, chest, GI infections
• reduced eczema, asthma
• reduced T1DM

Reduced incidence of sudden infant death syndrome

Baby in control of how much it drinks

Question 2

Disadvantages of breast feeding

Answer 2

Drug transmission, infection

Nutritional deficiencies
-VitD, K

Breast milk jaundice

Question 3

Contraindications to breastfeeding

Answer 3

Drugs
ABx - ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, sulphonamides
Psych - lithium, BZ
CV - aspirin, amiodarone
Rheumatic - methotrexate, cytotoxics
Endocrine - carbimazole, sulfonylureas

Galactosemia

Viral infections

Question 4

When to breastfeed your child

When to move on

Answer 4

0-6months

Sits, holds head steady
Hand, eye, mouth coordination
Swallows

Nutritional requirements outstrip breastmilk

Question 5

Mastitis

• management
• complications

Answer 5

1st line - continue breastfeeding

-if systemically unwell/nipple fissure present/no improval after 12-24hrs of effective milk removal => flucloxacillin

If untreated => abscess
-refer urgently to a surgeon if suspected (no improvement after fluclox management)