Introduction to the value of breastfeeding and human milk

Question 1

what are the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby?

Answer 1

natural form of protection
against a range of illnesses
as contains white blood cells

Question 2

what are the illnesses that breastfeeding can protect against?

Answer 2

infection, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Question 3

what are the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother

Answer 3

natural form of protection against breast and ovarian cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis
exclusive breastfeeding temporarily reduces fertility to enable birth spacing

Question 4

define the symptoms of osteoporosis

Answer 4

weakened bones, fragile, more likely to break them

Question 5

what are the benefits of breastfeeding for society?

Answer 5

provides best start in life, reduce the effects of poverty, promotes health equity

Question 6

define health equity

Answer 6

the quality of being fair and impartial

Question 7

Give one example of breastfeeding reducing the effects of poverty.

Answer 7

greater health outcomes for a breastfed baby born into poverty than a formula fed baby born into affluence

Question 8

what makes human milk so beneficial? (reason 1)

Answer 8

adapts for the baby’s needs, the ingredients of human milk change dependant upon when the baby is born, its age and the environment it lives in

Question 9

what makes human milk so beneficial? (reason 2)

Answer 9

human milk has live ingredients, live microbes which are essential in colonising the baby with healthy bacteria

Question 10

what makes human milk so beneficial? (reason 3)

Answer 10

human milk protects the baby’s leaky gut by coating the gut wall to prevent harmful bacteria latching on

Question 11

describe a leaky gut

Answer 11

the gastric tract has holes which are easily plugged by bacteria

Question 12

what are some of immunoglobulins in human milk that support baby’s immune system

Answer 12

IgM, IgA, IgD, IgG, IgE

Question 13

describe how the transfer of IgM supports the baby’s immune system

Answer 13

increases the responsiveness to the vaccination

Question 14

describe how the transfer of IgA supports the baby’s immune system

Answer 14

first line of defence against pathogens that invade humans from the mucosa
coats the gut wall and protects the mucosal surfaces against entry of pathogenic bacteria and enteroviruses, e.g. E.coli

Question 15

describe how the transfer of IgD supports the baby’s immune system

Answer 15

combats disease without causing inflammation

Question 16

describe how the transfer of IgG supports the baby’s immune system

Answer 16

passive immunity will be maintained while the baby is being breastfed as it transfers across the placenta and through breastmilk

Question 17

What are the barriers to breastfeeding?

Answer 17

education
pain and associated conditions
economical and political decisions
societal expectations

Question 18

expand on why education is a barrier to breastfeeding

Answer 18

lack of exposure to breastfeeding and lack of knowledge about breastfeeding

Question 19

expand on why pain and associated conditions are a barrier to breastfeeding

Answer 19

lack of breastfeeding support and knowledge make it difficult to prevent/manage complications e.g. mastitis and sore nipples

Question 20

expand on why economical and political decisions are a barrier to breastfeeding

Answer 20

formula feeding is profitable
infant formula (dairy) companies lobby governments and healthcare organisations

Question 21

expand on why societal expectations are a barrier to breastfeeding

Answer 21

bodily ‘modesty’
privacy
feeding inside a comfortable space only
work
breasts are sexualised organs
family and societal expectations