Oranges activity Take a straw, a cup, three orange slices and napkin Don’t eat them! Wait for further instruction

Anatomy of the breast If a baby just latches onto the nipple, he or she is compressing the milk sinuses and it won’t be expelled properly

Infant Nutrition

Discussion questions What does breastfeeding mean to you? What or who influenced your thoughts/feelings about breastfeeding? What effect will breastfeeding have on the relationship with your partner? What does your mother think about breastfeeding What does your family think about breastfeeding? How do you feel when you see a woman breastfeeding in public? What do you think the baby feels when he/she is breastfeeding? Where would you go or who would you turn to for help or support with breastfeeding?

How does the body know to produce milk? Begin producing colostrum during the second trimester Colostrum is packed with proteins and nutrients, enzymes to help baby’s digestive tract develop, and antibodies to protect baby from infection After giving birth and the release of the placenta, the hormone prolactin is produced and it tells the breast to begin producing mature breast milk The alveoli cells start taking water and nutrients from the bloodstream

True or false? Modern infant formula is very similar or the same as breast milk. Babies that breastfeed get sick less often than babies that formula feed. Most people think that breast feeding in public is unacceptable. Most women don’t produce enough milk to be able to breastfeed. Breastfeeding for a year or more makes your baby too dependent.

Mothers who breastfeed must eat special foods. If you breastfeed you are not able to go out and socialize. If a mother needs to take medicine, she can still breastfeed. If a mother needs to go back to work after 6 weeks, it is not worth it to breastfeed. Mothers who have their nipples pierced can still breastfeed.

Modern infant formula is very similar or the same as breast milk. False: Infant formula does not contain antibodies, living cells, enzymes and hormones present in breast milk. Babies that breastfeed get sick less often than babies that formula feed. True: Studies who that infants who are formula fed have higher rates of many illnesses.

Most people think that breast feeding in public is unacceptable. False: Most people think it’s fine for women to discreetly fed their babies in public. The Ontario Human Rights Code states that women have the right to breastfeed in public. Most women don’t produce enough milk to be able to breastfeed. False: Virtually all mothers can provided they have accurate information and support.

Breastfeeding for a year or more makes your baby too dependent. False: Studies show that babies who have their needs met readily feel secure and loved, are more independent as adults. Mothers who breastfeed must eat special foods. False: Mothers who breastfeed do not have to eat special foods, just have to follow Canada’s Food Guide.

If you breastfeed you are not able to go out and socialize. False: Mothers who breastfeed can take their baby with them, or leave the baby at home with a caregiver and a bottle of breast milk. If a mother needs to take medicine, she can still breastfeed. True: Most medications are compatible with breastfeeding. If a mother needs to take a medication that is not safe to take while breastfeeding she may decide to pump and discard milk until she is finished the medication. Always check with a healthcare provider before taking any medication.

If a mother needs to go back to work after 6 weeks, it is not worth it to breastfeed. False: Even if a mother breastfeeds only for a day, the baby will receive the best nutrition possible. Many mothers return to work and continue to breastfeed. Mothers who have their nipples pierced can still breastfeed. True: Many women who have had their nipple pierced successfully breastfeed. Nipple rings should be removed.

Why is infant nutrition so important? By 6 months old, most babies double their birth weight Body length increases by 50% in first year Rapid growth demands large quantities of nutrients for cell and tissue growth First food an infant receives is milk either breast milk or formula

Advantages of breastfeeding for baby Designed for special nutritional needs Protects from infection Always available/safe Fewer allergies and illnesses, diabetes, SIDS, asthma, stomach and bowel infection Higher I.Q. scores, educational outcomes Better attachment, feels safe, secure

Advantages of breastfeeding for mother Less expensive Quicker recovery from birth Uterus shrinks faster to normal size and shape Loses excess weight gained during pregnancy Hormone release oxytocin creates positive mood

Disadvantages of breastfeeding for mother Other people cannot feed the baby Some women are uncomfortable or embarrassed about breastfeeding Some women may be unwilling or physical unable to breastfed

Advantages of bottlefeeding for mother Other people can easily feed the baby Mother is free to do other things

Disadvantages of bottlefeeding Can be more expensive Must sterilize equipment and prepare formula Must have a safe water supply Cow’s milk in some formulas can cause allergies Formulas imitate breast milk but not exactly Formulas do not provide immunities

Breastfeeding myths

Many woman cannot produce enough breast milk. An overabundance of milk is common. Typically, if a baby is not getting enough milk (gaining weight fast enough) it’s because the baby is poorly latched onto the breast.

It is normal for breastfeeding to hurt. Tenderness in the first days is relatively common. Pain that last more than the first three days should not be ignored. Any pain that is more than mild is abnormal, this is usually do to poor latching.

Women whose breasts do not enlarge or enlarge only a little during pregnancy cannot produce enough milk. There are VERY few woman who do not produce enough milk. Most woman who don’t have their breasts enlarge during pregnancy can still breastfeed.

Pumping is a good way of knowing how much milk the mother has. How much milk is pumped depends on many factors including the mother’s stress level . A baby who nurses well can get much more milk than a mother can pump.