Breastfeeding provides ideal nutrition for infants and has numerous health benefits for both mother and baby. It gives babies antibodies and nutrients tailored for them. The document defines breastfeeding as the normal way to provide young infants with needed nutrients for growth. Breastfeeding is recommended exclusively for six months and continued along with complementary foods up to two years or longer. The anatomy and physiology of lactation are described, including milk production triggered by the baby's sucking. Advantages of breastfeeding include its availability, low cost, protection from infection, and psychological benefits. Contraindications for mothers and infants are outlined.

1. BREAST FEEDING
Presented by: Sana Tulasi
MSc 1st year
Child Health Nursing

2. INTRODUCTION:
The basic food for infant is milk and breast feeding is the most
natural method. Breast feeding is must to meet the nutritional needs,
emotional needs and psychological needs of the infant and child.
Breast milk is natural readymade food, which is the most
suitable for the neonates because of its nutritional value, protection from
the infection against diseases and the financial and social implications it
has for a poor.
Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have
accurate information, and the support of their family , the health care
system and society a large.

3. DEFINITION:
According to WHO:
Breast feeding is the normal way of providing young
infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and
development.
Exclusive breast feeding is recommended up to 6 months
of age, with continued breast feeding along with appropriate
complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.

4. ANATOMY OF BREAST

7. PHYSIOLOGY OF LACTATION
The milk producing Reflex:
When the baby sucks the sensory nerve endings in the breast are
stimulated and impulses are carried by vagus nerve to the
Hypothalamus
This causes the anterior pituitary to release prolactin in to the blood
stream
Prolactin acts on the milk producing cells of the breast
Milk is secreted

8. The milk ejection Reflex:
Sensory nerve impulses that start when the baby sucks on the nipple
causes the posterior pitutiary to release oxytocin
Which makes the myo epithelial cells around the alveoli and ducts
contracts
Milk ejection / Let down reflex
This squeezes milk from the alveoli ducts and sinuses towards the
nipple
Milk is ejected

10. REFLEXES IN THE BABY
Rooting Reflex-
When something touches a baby’s lips or cheek, the baby turns to
find the stimulus, and opens his / her mouth, putting his or her tongue down
and forward.
Sucking Reflex-
When something touches a baby’s palate, he or she starts to suck it.
Swallowing Reflex-
When the baby’s mouth fills with milk , he or she swallows

11. COMPOSITION OF HUMAN MILK

12. STAGES OF HUMAN MILK

13. ADVANTAGES OF BREAST FEEDING
• Breast milk is the natural food, readily available ,warm and free from contamination.
• Breast milk is an ideal food which is easily digestible.
• It boosts immunity, meets nutritional requirement, provides immunoglobulin’s, reduces
malnutrition and increases IQ of the baby.
• Breast milk is available 24 hours a day and requires no special preparation and without
any cost.
• Psychological benefit of mother – child bonding.
• Helps in involution of the uterus.
• It acts as a natural contraception to the mother.
• Lessens the incidence of Gastrointestinal infections, allergies, etc.
• Nursing mothers are less prone to get ovarian and breast cancer.
• Breast feeding satisfies the emotional needs which is essential for the growth of the
neonates.
• Breast feeding is most convenient for the mother and has a feeling of satisfaction and
sense of fulfillment.
• The baby also feels warm and secure.

14. CONTRAINDICATIONS
In Infant-
• Gross Prematurity
• Galactosemia (a rare genetic metabolic disorder)
• Cleft lip and palate
• Biological mother ( where child is passed on to the another couple)
In Mother-
• Cracked nipples
• Active Tuberculosis
• Malignancy (breast abscess)
• HIV, Hepatitis B and C
• Herpes lesions on breast
• Mother on certain medications – Anti-cancer therapy, radioactive
isotope,etc
• Post partum Psychosis and Epilepsy
• Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Abuse

15. BREAST FEEDING POSITIONS
1.CRADLE HOLD 3.CLUTCH OR FOOTBALL HOLD
2.CROSS-CRADLE HOLD 4.RECLINING OR SIDE-LYING

16. BREAST FEEDING PATTERN
Depends mainly on:
Baby’s Needs
Baby’s Size
Baby Suckling strength
Mother’s milk supply
FIRST FEED:
Normal Delivery – ½ - 1 hour
Caesarean – 4 – 6 hrs
TIME SCHEDULE:
First 24 hrs, at an interval of 2-3 hrs
3 – 4 hrs pattern by the end of first week
DEMAND FEEDING:
The baby is put to breast as soon as the baby is hungry. There is no
restriction of the feeds and duration of sucking time.
DURATION OF FEED:
5 -10mins at each breast, there after time spent is gradually
increased.
Baby is fed from one breast completely so that baby gets both the FORE
MILK and HIND MILK.

17. AMOUNT OF FEED
First Day – 60ml/kg/day
Third Day- 100ml/kg/day
Tenth Day- 150ml/kg/day
FEEDING AT FREQUENT INTERVALS ABOUT 6 – 8 TIMES
ADAY
How a baby attaches and suckles at the breast:
• Good Attachment
• Poor Attachment