Infant Feeding & Milk Production Flashcards
What does the BFI (Baby Friendly Initiative) offer?
support for breastfeeding and infant nutrition, helping parents develop close relationships and bonds with their babies
How does the BFI support maternity services?
- setting standards
- providing training
- assessing progress
What year was the Unicef BFI introduced?
1994
Define positioning
how a mother holds her baby to enable him/her to attach effectively
Name the 4 types of positioning for breast feeding
cradle,
rugby ball,
cross cradle,
lying down
Explain the acronym ‘CHIN’
C - close - baby needs to be close to mum to scoop enough breast into their mouth
H - heads free - to allow the the chin to lead to the breast and to allow the motion of swallowing
I - in line - alignment of the babies body enable feeding and swallowing to be easier
N - nose to nipple - enabling a wide mouth to engulf enough nipple to rest at the junction of the hard and soft palette in babies mouth
Define attachment
how a baby takes the breast into his mouth to feed
How does a baby ‘effectively attach’?
the baby takes a big mouthful of the breast tissue into his mouth and milk is released due to a combination of tongue compression and negative pressure within the baby’s mouth
Name the 5 signs of correct attachment
- no pain for mother
- chin is against the breast (navigate nose to nipple)
- more areola visible where the babies nose is than where their chin is
- full round cheeks
- rhythmic sucking with pauses
State the 4 parts of the breast anatomy
- nipple
- areola
- montgomerys tubercle
- lobule
Explain what is meant by ‘montgomery’s tubercle’, what’s their role?
hair follicles on areola that secrete an oil that gives off a smell that attracts babies to breast
Explain what the breast ‘lobules’ contain
lactiferous ducts (milk ducts) and alveoli which contain myoepithelial cells and lactocytes
Breast changes occur throughout pregnancy to prepare for lactation. What happens during weeks 4-8?
breast development
Breast changes occur throughout pregnancy to prepare for lactation. What happens during week 12?
pigmentation of areola (increased visibility for baby)
Breast changes occur throughout pregnancy to prepare for lactation. What happens during week 16?
secondary areola appears and colostrum present
Explain the physiology of lactation i.e. beginning milk production…
Milk production is triggered by the removal of placenta and membranes, and progesterone, prolactin and oxytocin
What does progesterone do to instigate milk production?
Maternal progesterone blood levels decline when the placenta and membranes are removed during ‘after birth’
What does prolactin do to instigate milk production?
stimulate acini cells/lactocytes to produce milk
What does oxytocin do to instigate milk production?
stimulates myoepthelial cells to contract to release milk
Describe acini cells/lactocytes?
Smallest functional unit of the breast. Hundreds of acini cells in each breast produce milk into a separate ducts. Milk is then funneled into the ductal system toward the nipple.
What is the function of myoepithelial cells in the breast?
contraction of the mammory gland ducts
What is prolactin?
Hormone that communicates to the body that breast milk is to be made during pregnancy and birth