This document provides information on promoting optimal breastfeeding practices for newborns. It outlines key benefits of breastfeeding such as early initiation providing immunity and bonding. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is recommended as it reduces infant mortality from common diseases and promotes healthy development. The document also demonstrates proper cradling hold and positioning for breastfeeding as well as support for establishing and maintaining breast milk supply.

1. GIVING THE NEWBORN
A HEALTHY START

2.  LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 Identify approach to promote optimal breastfeeding practices
 Demonstrate four ways to position the baby at the breast
 Identify other activities that contribute to good postpartum
nutrition
GIVING THE NEWBORN A HEALTHY START

3. Information on breastfeeding for postpartum women
• Initiate breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth
• Early breast milk promotes early gut growth and resistance to
infection
• Facilitates the sucking reflex, which helps stimulate breast
milk production
• Encourages bonding between mother and baby, resulting in
better latch
Key Information on Breastfeeding for
Postpartum Women

4. • Helps maintain the baby’s body temperature to promote
warmth and protect against hypothermia
• Colostrum, the yellow, thick “first milk,” is the baby’s first
immunization protection and Provides antibodies to fight
infections
• It also contain growth factors that help babies digest and
absorb breast milk
• Acts as a laxative; giving the baby comfort by passing soft
stools.
GIVING THE NEWBORN A HEALTHY START

5. Exclusive breastfeeding

6. • Six times reduced mortality from diarrhoea or acute
respiratory infections for infant under 2 months of age
• Colostrum (rich in vitamin A and immunity factors) protect
infants against disease
• A lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome
• Reduced risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
BENEFITS OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING

7. • Healthy citizens: Breastfed babies – healthy healthier
teenagers and adults
• Environmental: Environmental protection through non
littering with infant food containers and the saving of fuels for
preparation of feeds
• Economic: Saving of foreign exchange from importation of
Breast milk Substitutes (BMS)
• Economic: Breastfeeding saves money and time for the family
• Physiological: Enhances uterine contraction, placental
expulsion and prevents postpartum haemorrhage

8. • Psychosocial: Encourages
mother-child bonding and
reduces the risk of child
abandonment and abuse.
• Child spacing: It helps
prevent new pregnancy
by delaying the return of
menstruation soon after
delivery (Lactational
Amenorrhoea - LAM)

9. Cradle hold
1Make baby’s head rests in the bend of
the elbow of the arm on the side of
breastfeeding, with the hand on that side
supporting the rest of the body
2Cup the breast with the other hand,
placing the thumb above the nipple and
areola at the spot where the baby’s nose
will touch the breast.
3The index finger should be at the spot
where the baby’s chin will make contact
with the breast.
4Lightly compress the breast so that the
nipple points slightly toward the baby’s
nose.
5Baby’s now ready to latch.

10. DANGERS OF MIXED FEEDING
• Mixed feeding refers to giving an infant breast milk and other
drinks or liquids foods such as:
• Formula
• Glucose water
• Gripe water and or
• Traditional medicines
• This practice remains common in Nigeria and puts the child at
higher risk of malnutrition and poor health compared to
breastfed children

11. • Henceforth, there is higher risk of infections from germs in
• Water
• feeding utensils
• Which occur due to poor education and consequently poor
understanding of preparation
• As well as instruction affect adequate feeding of the infants
like mixing too little formula (watered down) or too much
formula

12. LACTATION SUPPORT
Steps to establish and maintain breast milk supply
• Place mother and baby skin-to-skin immediately after birth –
do not wash mother‘s breasts or baby‘s hands – Baby can
locate the breasts by smell (or sight of the areola)
• Breastfeed as soon after birth as the baby is ready.
• The baby may move and attach her/himself to the breast
• Ensure good attachment (there are four signs of attachment

13. • Breastfeed frequently: the more a baby suckles, the more
breast milk the mother makes.
• Let baby finish first breast before offering the second
• Give only breast milk (no other liquids, foods or water) for the
first 6 months
• Breastfeed at night

14. • Keep the baby close or skin-to-skin so that the mother can
breastfeed whenever baby wants, for as long as he or she
wants
• Express breast milk when away from baby so that the
expressed breast
• milk may be fed to baby and so the mother ‘s breasts do not
become too full

15. • Mothers who are breastfeeding should have plenty to drink
and an extra, nutritious snack a day
• Encourage and support breastfeeding at all encounters, and
build mother‘s confidence

16. Always remember to take care of
the baby