1. BREAST FEEDING

2. BREAST FEEDING

3. WHAT IT IS
Feeding of an infant or young child with breast milk directly from a female breasts via lactation.
Breastmilk is free, easier to digest, contains the right balance of nutrients and antibodies, always at the right temperature, fat content changes according to baby’s need.

4. BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING
TO BABY
Exclusive breastfeeding (no water, solid food nor formula) for 6months offers protection from illnesses such as respiratory problems, stomach viruses, ear infections, meningitis.
Reduces risks of type 1and2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, obesity, heart disease , SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
Protects your baby from developing allergies
Boosts your child’s intelligence
Protects your child from obesity

5. BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING
BENEFITS TO MOTHER
The hormone released causes contraction of the womb hereby reducing excessive bleeding , lowers blood pressure.
It lowers the risk of post partum depression.
It is cost effective.
It helps in weight loss.
It helps in bonding
It lowers the risk of breasts and ovarian cancer.
It lowers the risks of type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol later in life.

6. BREAST CARE DURING PREGNANCY
1st trimester – increase in size is rapid ,don’t wear tight fitting bra, wear your size.
Avoid wearing under wired bras, they might hamper the functioning of the milk glands Very tight bra, may press down the nipple and block the milk ducts.
Regular increase in breast size, it tends to change color and nipple darkens. Sometimes the nipple might appear too rough and might develop cracks lightly massage apply blue seal Vaseline, lanolin or coconut oil.
Some people have inverted nipples. These people can gently pull the nipples out so that the nipple are in correct position when the baby is born
In the last trimester, prepare your breasts for lactation by using Vaseline or olive oil with gauze pads 5minutes before taking your bath to open up the pores for easy flow of breast milk.

7. HOW TO BREASTFEED
Nurse early and often(within the 30 mins to one hour after birth)
- Milk removal stimulates milk production
- Baby consumes important nutrients
Sucking helps uterus to contract
-Prevents engorgement
You will be required to put your baby to breast every 2 hours after birth. Frequent feeding encourages lactation and reduces the likelihood of babies developing jaundice.
All sucking at the breast
- At least the first 14days
- No pacifiers, no other foods, no pumping
Length and frequency of feedings determined by baby.
- No mother
- No clock

8. BREAST FEEDING PLEASE NOTE !
BREAST MILK IS VERY LIGHT, BREAST FED BABIES REQUIRE FREQUENT FEEDS, ABOUT EVERY 2 HOURS. THE QUALITY OF YOUR BREAST MILK IS DETERMINED BY WHAT YOU EAT. EAT PROPERLY SO YOUR BABY IS HEALTHY.

9. Position the baby so nursing is comfortable
- Cross cradle, football or side-lying.
- Infant’s body aligned
Nose , chin, and cheeks touching breast
Keep you back supported
- Limit confusion
- Large breasts and flat or inverted nipples may present a challenge
Insure an effective latch
- Utilize newborn reflexes
- Patiently insist newborn opens mouth wide
- Place breast deeply into baby’s mouth
- You should feel tugging
Watch the baby’s output
-No of Wet 6 diapers per day (straw colored-pale yellow) not dark yellow or crystals
- Stools- 3-4 per day (green stool means baby might not be getting enough)

10. MOTHER’S DIET Eat right during pregnancy as well as after delivery
You need strength and stamina to meet physical demands of caring for a new baby .
Eat a balanced diet calories is needed daily.
Take plenty of fluids and limit caffeine.
If you feel hungry since your body is working round the clock to make milk for your baby, eating small meals with healthy snacks in between. Keep taking your vitamins.
Dieting is not advised at this period.

11. BREAST MILK STORAGE
Expressed breast milk should be used at room temperature, 3 to 4hours , if your want to keep it longer you need to refrigerate or freeze it.
First step , clean and wash your hands, clean the bottles and sanitize the surface you are working on store the breast milk in a bottle and keep in refrigerator, write time and date to keep track.
Refrigerated longest
- In a refrigerator, it last for 8days
- In the regular freezer it will last for 3 to 6months.
- In a deep freezer it will be good for 6 to 12months.
- To defrost breast milk - place bottle in a cup of warm of warm water, for few minutes. It can be kept in the fridge for 24hrs,or at room temperature for 1hr.

12. POINTS TO NOTE BREAST FEEDING
Babies cry for various reasons. Not every cry is a reason to feed. When baby cries and you have just fed properly, check for other things e.g.
Wet diaper
Baby too hot
Baby is cold ( cold hands and feet)
Baby wants a cuddle!

13. THANK YOU.