Breast Feeding

At the end of this session Students should be able to : Define Breast feeding Describe :- -The current World Health Organization recommendations on Breast feeding -The advantages of Breast Feeding -The factors that promote Breast feeding Identify the Barriers to Breast feeding Describe the current strategies to manage and promote Breast feeding.

Breast feeding definition Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as an infant receiving only breast milk and no other liquids or solids except for drops or syrups consisting of vitamins, minerals, or medicines Almost exclusive: Allows occasional tastes of other liquids, traditional foods, vitamins, medicines, etc.

Breast feeding definition Full breastfeeding: Includes exclusive and almost exclusive. Source; Interagency Group for Action on Breastfeeding (IGAB) Consortium 2000 .

Current Recommendations The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life followed by complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond.[1]  However, currently fewer than 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed worldwide.[2]

What are the recommendations in Islam ?

Answer In the Qur'an it is stated that a child should be breastfed if both parents agree: Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing ... And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. (parts of Surat al-Baqarah 2:233)[3] Islam has recommended breastfeeding for two years , either by the mother or a wet nurse. Even in pre-Islamic Arabia children were breastfed, commonly by wet nurses.

Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk American Academy of Pediatrics, 2005 Human milk is species-specific, and all substitute feeding preparations differ markedly from it, making human milk uniquely superior for infant feeding.”

Breastfeeding Infant Health Benefits COLOSTRUM Small amount for the immature digestive system ‘paints’ the digestive tract Low fat for easy digestion Contains mothers antibodies which boost infants’ immune system Acts as a laxative to ease passage of meconium

Breastfeeding Infant Health Benefits Lower risk of Diarrhea Constipation Infections -Ear, respiratory, meningitis, urinary tract Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Allergic diseases Chronic digestive diseases Juvenile onset diabetes Adult obesity

Breastfeeding Infant Health Benefits Provides immunologic protection while the infant’s immune system is maturing Antimicrobial agents Anti-inflammatory agents Immunomodulating agents

Breastfeeding Infant Health Benefits Preterm Infants Decreased necrotizing enterocolitis Decreased infection rates Better able to tolerate feedings Increased IQ rates (Contains long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that help the infant’s brain develop – these are normally provided by the mother in late pregnancy, therefore preterm infants miss this)

Breastfeeding Mother Health Benefits Less postpartum bleeding More rapid uterine involution Weight loss Decreased premenopausal breast cancer rates Decreased ovarian cancer rates Lactation amenorrhea -Should still use progesterone only contraceptives -Combined contraceptives dry up milk

Breastfeeding Parent Benefits Saves money Saves time Babies love it

BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING Ecological: -Saves resources -No waste -No refrigeration -No manufacturing -No bottles, cans -No handling

BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING For Society -Smarter -Healthier -Less cost to healthcare system -Stronger families

Social, Cultural and Health Problems that interfere with Breastfeeding Breast Pathology Flat/inverted nipples, breast reduction surgery that severed milk ducts, previous breast abscess, extremely sore nipples (cracked, bleeding, blisters, abrasions) Hormonal pathology Failure of lactogenesis, hypothyroidism Overall health Smoking, anemia, poor nutrition, depression Psychosocial Restrictive feeding schedules, mother without support system, not rooming in with baby, bottle supplementing when not medically required

Breastfeeding Barriers Other Previous breastfed infant who failed to gain weight well, perinatal complication (hemorrhage, infection). Individual: Inadequate knowledge, embarrassment, negative perceptions Interpersonal: Lack of support from partner and family Institutional: Return to work or school, lack of workplace facilities, unsupportive health care environments Community: discomfort about nursing in public Policy: aggressive marketing by formula companies

Strategies for Management and Promotion of Breastfeeding Prenatal care -The discussion of breastfeeding during early prenatal care can positively effect a woman's likelihood to breastfeed her child.  -the involvement of lactation consultants in the prenatal visits of low-income women increases the likelihood that they will breastfeed.

Peer support and counseling -Peer support techniques can be used before, during, and after pregnancy to encourage exclusive breastfeeding, particularly among groups with low breastfeeding rates. - Breastfeeding peer counselors, are women who have breastfed and provide information, support to mothers

Lactation consultants -Lactation consultants are health care professionals whose primary goal is to promote breastfeeding and assist mothers with breastfeeding on an individualized or group basis. They work in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, private doctor's offices, and public health clinics.

Social marketing and media -Social marketing has been shown to have an impact on women's decision to breastfeed their children. women who are exposed to marketing that promotes breastfeeding are likely to breastfeed at higher rates.

Strategies for Management and Promotion of Breastfeeding Worldwide efforts La Leche League La Leche League International was founded in 1956 after breastfeeding rates in the United States dropped to about 20%. -support and education for breastfeeding mother -uses peer support groups in breastfeeding promotion -supports the World Breastfeeding week and other promotion initiatives Today, La Leche League has groups in all 50 states and many countries worldwide Its goals include promoting understanding of breastfeeding as a part of child development and providing support and education for breastfeeding mothers

Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is an initiative of the World Health Organization and UNICEF that seeks to encourage initiation of breastfeeding among mothers who give birth to their children in hospitals.

World Breastfeeding Week World Breastfeeding Week is an international initiative of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action that seeks to promote exclusive breastfeeding  Since 1992, it has been held each year from August 1 through August 7.

WHO and UNICEF Initiatives -In addition to overseeing the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, the WHO and UNICEF have promoted breastfeeding on an international level.

Thank you

References industryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breastfeeding_promotion http://www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/benefits.asp http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/nursing-basics http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0715/p225.htm http://www.llli.org/ba/feb00.html