feeding a newborn baby Flashcards
milk production
early in pregnancy, breasts enlarge and prepare for the job of supplying baby with milk, in the last 12 weeks of pregnancy, they may start to secrete a fluid called colostrum, the baby’s birth is the signal for the breasts to begin producing milk and two or three day’s later the milk will begin to flow right time for baby as the appetite develops slowly
breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the newborn needs for the first months of life and continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one third of the second year
Babies should be put on breast regular in first few days, they will not need or get much food as there will be no milk, but a yellowish liquid called colostrum is produced
contains water
is a very concentrated food
is rich in protein
contains antibodies and living immune cells which protect baby from disease
is a baby’s first dose of natura vaccine
continues to be produced in small quantities until two or three days after birth when it is then replaced by milk, right time for baby as appetite develops slowly
between 3rd and 6th day babies become more hungry and may want to be fed 10 to 12 times a day, this may be inconvenient for mother, but it helps establish a good supply of milk the more baby sucks, the more the breast is stimulated to produce milk
Frequent demand feeding may continue for several weeks. After that, babies settle down and will mostly want to be fed about 6 times a day with the intervals varying from 3 to 5 hours,
Gradually the intervals between feeds in the night gets longer until the night feed is given up all together
may have happened by the time the baby is 3 months old, but some babies take longer
the breast
each breast contains about 20 sections of milk, producing glandular tissue made up of clusters of alveoli containing milk glands which produce milk when the mammary glands start to secrete milk this is lactation. Each section has a channel leading from the milk glands to sinuses which act as a reservoir for storing milk
From there the milk can flow out the openings of the nipple; the milk therefore comes from about 20 tiny openings. the dark area around the nipple is called the areola. The nipple and areola get bigger and darker during pregnancy
does the size of breast matter
the size of breasts before pregnancy depends on the amount of fat tissue and not the number of milk producing glands. So, women with naturally small breasts will be able to breastfeed just as well as those with larger breasts
consists of mostly connective tissue and fatty tissue that support and protect the milk producing areas of the breast
When baby begins to breastfeed, the nipple is drawn into the back of the mouth and is held there by suction so that the sinuses are between the lower and upper jaw. The action of the tongue and jaw squeeze the sinuses forcing the milk into the baby’s mouth. The further back into the baby’s the nipple is, the less likely it is to cause pain and discomfort
supply and demand
the more milk the baby takes from breast, the more milk is made. baby may need a top up feed at the breast if it does not settle after a feed or wakes up frequently.
Feeding according to a baby’s need will establish a good supply of milk that will suit baby’s needs perfectly
the let down reflex
body’s response to the baby sucking and is responsible for squeezing the milk from the alveoli into the ducts and towards the nipple. The baby’s sucking stimulates the nerve endings in the nipple and areola, which tells the pituitary gland in the brain to release two hormones prolactin and oxytocin
Prolactin causes the alveoli to take nutrients from the mothers blood supply and turn them into breast milk
oxytocin causes the cells around the alveoli to contract and force the milk down the ducts this process is known as milk ejaculation reflex
milk
breast milk contains traces of food and drink the mother has ingested. babies are thought to enjoy the different variation of flavor in the milk caused by day to day changes in the mothers diet
milk may unsettle the baby if the mothers diet contains too much fruit or their is a certain item that irritates the baby’s digestive system
many doctors try to advise mothers to try to breastfeed for at least two weeks and ideally for six months
the babies are then weaned off breast milk to a mixture of other foods
as nourishment from other foods increases the need for breastmilk decreases
breast feeds become fewer and smaller until the milk supply fails or baby refuses to feed from the breast
a baby who is entirely breastfed beyond age of 6 months may find it difficult to take on new foods
if weaning has not started by 9 to 10 months, there is a danger of anemia due to the shortage of iron in milk, baby is born with a iron store in the liver, which is gradually used up as baby grows
Advantages of breastfeeding
contains all necessary nutrients, as baby grows amount of various ingredients alter to meet changing needs of a baby, baby grow at the right place
milk is sterile and at the correct temperatures no need for bottles and sterilizing
safe and clean. full breastfed babies almost never get gastroenteritis
provides infant with with maternal antibodies and help protect the baby from infections such as eczema, urine infections, asthma and allergies
some babies have an intolerance to the protein in cows milk, lactose and breast milk is easy for baby to digest and absorb
baby is less likely to become overweight as baby can latch of when full
forms bond and attachment, mother can sit down with baby and relax, reducing likelihood of postnatal depression
requires baby to suck using lips, gums, tongue and jaw and cheek muscles. This encourages jaw and facial development
improves brain development due to presence of fatty acids
milk can be expressed so mother can return to work or go out socially
convenient as it is always available saving time and effort
reduced risk of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes for mother and SIDS, type 2 diabetes and childhood leukemia in the baby
health professionals are available for support and give advice to mother
due to oxytocin release, mothers uterus shrinks back to original size as oxytocin helps the uterus to contract. It is easier for the mother to return to her pre pregnancy body as breastfeeding requires extra calories so will use up fat stores in the body accumulated during pregnancy.
Periods take longer to return reducing hormone fluctuation
Disadvantages of breastfeeding
milk may unsettle baby if mothers diet contains too much fruit
baby’s milk supply is affected if the mother is overtired and tense
baby may be intolerant to lactose if fed exclusively on milk for 6 months, there may be difficulty taking new foods when weaning
certain harmful foods, drugs and alcohol can be passed from mother to baby
baby may have difficulty latching on
mother may feel embarrassed and avoid feeding in public
may present problems going back to work
mother must have a healthy lifestyle and avoid strongly flavored food, drugs and alcohol
can be lack of support for breastfeeding in the community
can be tiring and demanding
nipples can become cracked and sore making breastfeeding painful
mother may not be able to produce milk
incorrect breastfeeding can lead to breast pain, engorgement, plugged/clogged ducts, milk blisters and breast infections
Mastitis an infection of
the breast tissue can occur
thrush can occur in baby’s mouth or on mothers nipples.
essential rules for bottle feeding
Use the right type of milk for a young baby
keep every piece of equipment sterile
follow instructions on container for making up feed
give baby same love and attention as they would receive during breastfeeding.
Advantages of bottle feeding
mother knows how much milk the baby has consumed
milk is not affected by mothers health
infant is unaffected by factors such as maternal medication affecting the central nervous system and consequently breast milk
mother does not have to always be present during feeding times, so she can return to work before baby is weaned
Disadvantages of Bottle feeding
do not have same protection against allergies and infections as breastfed babies
possible to get mixture wrong when making formula milk, result in milk being to strong causing stomach issues, digestion issues, weak meaning not enough nutrients or too hot which can be harmful to the baby
babies tend to swallow more air when bottle fed and must be winded for often
feeds may be brought up more often
increased risk of gastroenteritis if equipment is not sterile properly, or milk is stored wrong and becomes contaminated
can be expensive with estimated cost bein from 44 pounds to 89 pounds
lot of work involved in sterilizing equipment and thoroughly washing.
a suitable feeding bottle must have following features
wide neck for easy cleaning
made of clear material- to check it is clean inside
measurements on side in millimeters or fluid ounces
a cap to keep the teat clean
designed so teat can be placed upside down when travelling
sealing disc placed in bottle to prevent spillage of milk
teat
a hole of the right size allows milk to drip out rapidly without having to shake or squeeze bottle
hole readily becomes blocked with dried milk and should be tested before every feed. When hole is too large is may cause baby to choke as they try to swallow milk.
when hole is too small, baby will suck so hard and for so long that a great deal of air will be swallowed. The baby will have trouble with wind
to prepare formula milk correctly you will need
a clean work surface
at least 6 bottles, lids, discs and teats
formula milk
safe water supply
a kettle
a bottle brush and small teat brush
Sterilizing equipment like a chemical, steam or microwave kit
tongs to help you grip equipment
