Breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition for infants and protects against infections. It promotes neurological development through nutrients like DHA and supports the infant's immune system through antibodies and proteins. Breastfeeding has benefits for mothers like reduced cancer and obesity risks. It also benefits families through lower costs and the development of bonding to prevent infanticide. At a national level, widespread breastfeeding leads to a more intelligent population, lower infant mortality rates, reduced healthcare spending, and slower population growth.

1. BREASFEEDING
N.Shruthi

2. Why breastfeeding is crucial?
1. Breast feeding provides optimal nutrition for the normal infant during the early
months of life
2. Provide protection against GI and upper respiratory infections which are killer
diseases in infancy
3. Provides factors for myelinization
4. Mother infant bonding provides a source of security and comfort to the infant
5. There are many benefits to mother also

3. Protein Fat Carbohydrate
0.9 gm 3.5 g 7 g lactose
Less casein
More alpha-lactalbumin;
Cow milk contains beta -
lactoglobulin which can produce
allergy.
High protein (3.2gm) in animal
milks can overload kidneys
Progressive increase in hindmilk
Contains long chain poly unsaturated
fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid
and arachidonic acid) which are
important for the
neurological development
More than in most other
milks e.g.4.8 gm in cow milk
Oligosaccharides provide
protection against infection

4. Vitamins/minerals
1. Less of iron, Vit D and Zinc
2. Iron compensated by delayed clamping after cord pulsation(3 mts )
3. Anti-infective factors:
1. immunoglobulin A, coats the intestinal mucosa and prevents bacteria from entering
the cells;
2. White blood cells kill micro-organisms;
3. Whey proteins (lysozyme and lactoferrin) can kill bacteria, viruses and fungi;
4. Oligosaccharides prevent bacteria from attaching to mucosal surfaces.

5. Other bioactive factors
1. Bile-salt stimulated lipase facilitates the complete digestion of fat
2. Epidermal growth factor stimulates maturation of the lining of the infant’s
intestine

6. Child’s Intelligence
1. on average 3.2 points higher among children who were breastfed
2. Increased duration of breastfeeding has been associated with greater
intelligence in late childhood and adulthood, which may affect the
individual’s ability to contribute to society.

7. Colostrum and mature milk
1. Colostrum is the special milk that is secreted in the first 2–3 days after delivery. about
40–50 ml on the first day
2. Colostrum is rich in:
1. white cells and
2. antibodies, especially Ig A,
3. larger percentage of protein, minerals and fat-soluble vitamins (A, E and K)
3. Colostrum is a baby's first immunization against many bacteria and viruses
4. Colostrum is laxative, and helps the baby to pass meconium

8. Mature milk
• On the third day, an infant is normally taking about 300–400 ml per 24
hours, and on the fifth day 500–800 ml .
• From day 7 to 14, the milk is called transitional, and after 2 weeks it is
called mature milk.

9. 1. Foremilk is the milk that is produced early in a feed. It provides:
a) plenty of protein,
b) lactose, other nutrients and
c) water.
2. Hindmilk is the milk that is produced later in a feed.
a) contains more fat.
b) provides much of the energy
c) Satiety
d) sleep

10. Preterm milk
1. Preterm breast milk, has more protein,
2. Higher levels of some minerals including iron,
3. More immune properties than mature milk, making it more
suited for the needs of a premature baby.

11. Advantages of breast milk for baby:
1. Natural food
2. Always available at the proper temperature and requires no preparation
time.
3. Fresh and free of contaminating bacteria,
4. The protective effects against enteric and other pathogens
6. Contains bacterial and viral antibodies, including secretory Ig.A
7. It also inhibits growth of many common viruses.
8. No allergy

12. 8. Lower incidence of diarrhea , otitis media, pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis
during the 1st yr of life
9. Macrophages in human milk may synthesize complement, lysozyme, and lactoferrin.
10. Lactoferrin, an iron-binding whey protein has an inhibitory effect on the growth of
escherichia coli in the intestine.
11. The lower ph contributes to the favorable intestinal flora (i.e.,More bifidobacteria and
lactobacilli; fewer E. Coli),
12. Contains bile salt-stimulated lipase, which kills giardia lamblia and entamoeba
histolytica.
13. Transfer of tuberculin responsiveness by breast milk suggests passive transfer of t-cell
immunity.

13. 14. Artificially-fed children have an increased risk of asthma, atopic dermatitis, type 1
diabetes, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease.
15. Artificial feeding is also associated with a greater risk of childhood leukaemia.
16. Obesity in later childhood and adolescence is less common among breastfed children
17. Risks to cardiovascular health, including increased blood pressure, altered blood
cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis in later adulthood.
18. Increased duration of breastfeeding has been associated with greater intelligence in late
childhood and adulthood, which may affect the individual’s ability to contribute to
society.

14. Artificially-fed children have an increased risk of
1. Asthma and other atopic conditions,
2. Type 1 diabetes,
3. obesity
4. Celiac disease,
5. Ulcerative colitis and crohn disease.
6. Childhood leukaemia
7. cardiovascular health, including increased blood pressure, altered
blood cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis

15. Benefits for the mother
1. The psychologic advantages for both mother and infant
2. A feeling of being essential and a sense of accomplishment for the
mother
3. Less risk of postpartum haemorrhage
4. Les risk of breast and ovarian cancer
5. less obesity and accelerated recovery of pre-pregnancy weight
6. lactation amenorrhea

16. 7. Assists the uterus return to its pre-pregnant state faster
8. Can help women to lose weight after baby’s birth
9. Reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and pre-menopausal breast cancer
10. Reduces the risk of osteoporosis
11. Reduces the risk of mothers with gestational diabetes developing Type
2 diabetes

17. Benefits to the family
1. The cost of rearing a child by buying formula or cow’s milk is reduced
2. The cost of frequent visits to hospital is substantially low in breastfed
infants as they have less incidence of illnesses
3. Lactation amenorrhea helps planning the family size in the first year
4. Infanticide is unknown if mother starts breastfeeding and develops
bonding

18. Benefits to State
1. More intelligent citizen
2. Low IMR
3. Less health budget burden
4. Less population explosion