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Prolactin Reflex (Milk Secretion Reflex)
Prolactin Reflex (Milk Secretion Reflex)
Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of
infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of
mothers. Review of evidence has shown that, on a population basis, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months
is the optimal way of feeding infants. Thereafter infants should receive complementary foods with
continued breastfeeding upto 2 years of age or beyond.
DEFINITION:
Excessive breastfeeding is defined as an infant being fed only breast milk, with the possible
exception of vitamin D in certain populations and iron in infants of relatively low birth weight.
Exclusive breastfeeding – that is the infant only receives breast milk without any additional food
or drink, not even water.
Breastfeeding on demand – that is as often as the child wants, day and night.
ADVANTAGES OF BREASTFEEDING :
A)Nutritive value :
It contains all the nutrients in the right proportions which are needed for optimal growth and
development of the body upto 4-6 months.
Essential for growth of the infant because it has high percentage of lactose and galactose which
are important components of galactogerebroside.
Contains amino acids like tauirne and cysteine which are important as neurotransmitters.
Breast milk fats are polysaturated fatty acids which are necessary for myelination of the nervous
system.
It has vitamins, minerals, electrolytes and water in right proportion for the infant which are
necessary for the maturation of intestinal tract.
It provides 66 calories per 100ml and contains 1.2 kg protein,3.8 g fat,7g lactose and vitamin A 170 to
670 IU,Vitamin C 2 to 6 mg ,vitamin D 22IU,calcium 35 mg,phosphorous 15 mg in 100 ml .The total
amount of milk secretion per day about 600-700 ml for the baby.
It provides specific nutrients for preterm baby in preterm delivery.
B) Digestively :
Breast milk is easily digestable.
The proteins are mostly lactoalbumin and lactoglobulin which forms soft curds that is curdy to
digest.
The enzyme lipase in the breast milk helps in the digestion of fats and provides free fatty acids.
C )Protective value :
Breast milk contains IgA, IgM, macrophages, lymphocytes, bifidus factors, unsaturated
lactoferrin, lysoxyme, and interferon.
So, breastfed bodies are less likely to develop infections esp. gastrointestinal and respiratory
tract infections, viral infections like skin infection.
BF protects the infant from allergy and bronchial asthma. It protects against neonatal
hypocalcaemia, tettany, necrotizing entercolitis, deficiencies of Vit E and zinc, neonatal
convulsions and SID syndrome.
It leads to better parent child adjustment, fewer behavioral disorders in children and less risk of
child abuse and neglect.
Lactation amenorrhea promotes in recovery of iron stores and also protects from pregnancy for
the first 6 months if exclusive breastfeeding is given.
Improves metabolic efficiency and satisfaction with sense of fulfillment of the mother.
Improves slimming of the mother by consuming extra fat which is accumulated during
pregnancy. It takes approximately 20 calories to produce an ounce of milk.
More convenient and time saving for the mother. She can provide fresh, pure, readymade, clean
uncontaminated milk to her baby at the right temperature without any preparation.
Community expenditure on health care and contraception are reduced. It is economical for the
families, hospitals, communities and for countries.
In the antenatal period, examination of the breast and identification of problems like
retracted nipples should be done with necessary advice for interventions. Adequate diet in prenatal
period should be consumed in terms of energy and nutrients. Prevention of micronutrient deficiencies,
rest, and regular exercise, hygiene measures should be advised for better health in antenatal period.
Antenatal counseling, family support and mother support group should also be emphasized as the
preparation of mothers for breasstfeeeding. Mothers should also be prepared psychologically to feed her
baby immediately after birth.
In case of preterm babies or sick babies, being in care unit, they should be fed with expressed
breast milk (EBM).
The cradle hold position is the most common nursing position of them all. This position is best for the
older baby who already has control over head and neck movement, and can latch on easily. If you want
to try this position with a newborn, you will need baby’s head resting on your forearm; you will need to
keep baby close with skin on skin contact.
* Baby’s tummy should be against her tummy. His face and knees should be facing mother’s body.
* Use a U hold to hold the breast; when positioning your breasts, make sure that mother’s fingers are
not touching areola; this is so that they do not get in the way when baby is trying to latch on.
* Tickle baby’s lips and wait until he/she opens their mouth wide; then bring the baby to mother’s
breast.
* Baby should have whole nipple and a large part of areola in their mouth.
2. Cross cradle hold.
The cross cradle hold for breastfeeding allows a Mom complete control during breastfeeding. This
position is used for the newborn and only until baby has learned to latch on correctly.
* Use a breastfeeding pillow for support. Mother’s arm should be supporting the length of baby’s back.
* Baby’s head should be supported with mother’s thumb and forefinger just behind baby’s ears.
* With mother’s free hand she must hold her breast in a U shape
* Tickle baby’s lips with nipple until he/she opens their mouth wide, then quickly push his body
towards mother and latch on.
* Baby should have all of the nipple and most of the lower areola in their mouth. Nipple should be quite
far back in baby's mouth. If the latch feels uncomfortable or painful, mother can break the seal by
placing her fingers in the corner of baby’s mouth and try again.
* If baby’s bottom lip is curled in, it sometimes helps to try pull it out, for a better latch.
* Do not try to make an air pocket on the top of the breast for baby to breathe. Doing this can cause
nipple pain. Babies’ noses are made especially for breastfeeding, and if baby is struggling to breathe,
he/she will pull off on their own.
* If your baby is drinking well with the cross breastfeeding hold, and mother’s arm becomes tired, she
can transition into the normal cradle hold shown above.
3. Football hold.
The football breastfeeding hold also called the underarm hold or clutch hold. With this nursing position
mother will be holding baby on either one of her sides. This is a great position for Mothers who have
just had a Cesarean section. The breastfeeding football hold is also great for Mothers with large
breasts. Moms with heavy let down reflexes and Moms with premature babies. This position is usually
used only until baby is latching on well.
* Mother will need a pillow to support baby. Baby should be at breast height.
* Tuck baby in, under the same arm as the breast that is being fed to baby.
* Baby’s head supported by Moms thumb and forefinger, behind baby’s ears just like when she hold
baby in the cross cradle position.
* Again hold the breast with other hand...in a U shape with fingers away from the areola.
4.Lying down
The lying breastfeeding position is the easiest position breastfeeding for many Moms. Breastfeeding
lying down is nice for Moms that sleep with their babies.
How it is done:
* She should lie on side and support her head and her back with pillows.
* Lie baby next to her so that their tummies are touching. If baby is still very young, she can place
something behind his/her back to prevent baby from rolling backwards.
* Baby will be drinking from the breast that is against the mattress.
* After baby has securely latched on, she can use her lower arm to support her own head.
* When she wish to keep baby other side, she only need to cuddle him/her over her chest, and gently
roll herself over.
* This position is great for Moms who have had a C-section delivery.
The Saddle Hold is a fun way to easily nurse babies who are sitting up. It also works well if baby has a
runny nose or a sore ear. This is a great position for breastfeeding toddlers!
LATCHING OR ATTACHMENT :
After positioning, when baby’s chin touches the breast, cheek touches the nipple, baby will open the
mouth in “rooting reflex”. Then the baby will quickly move on to the breast with the lower lip below
the nipple so that the nipple and most of the areola go into the baby’s mouth. It is important that the
baby is brought to the mother rather than mother leaning to the baby. The nipple should be slightly
tilted downward using a “C – hold”
Signs of good attachment :
1. The baby’s mouth is wide open.
2. Most of the areola and nipple in the mouth, only upper areola visible and not the lower one.
Effective suckling :
1. Baby suckling slowly and pauses in between to swallow.
2. One may be able to see the movement of the throat bones and muscles and hear the gulping sound
that baby is swallowing milk.
3. Baby’s cheeks are full and not hollow or retracting during suckling.
FREQUENCY OF FEEDING :
1.Time schedule:
Initially breast feeding can be given 1-2 hours interval and the regularity becomes established at 3-4
hours by the end of the first week. Baby should be feed on self demand by the baby. A baby usually
cries when feels hungry and then must be put into the breast.
2.Duration of feeding :
Duration of feeding should be continued till the baby is satisfied. The duration of feeding depends on
the vigour of the baby and on the ‘let down reflex’. One breast should be emptied completely before
starting with the opposite breast. Next feeding should be started with the opposite breast i.e. which was
last fed in the previous feeding. Initial feeding should last for 5-10 mins at each breast.
3.Night feed :
In initial period, a night feed is required to avoid long interval between feeds of over 5 hours. It not only
eliminates excessive filling and hardening of the breasts but also quietens and ensures sound sleep of
the baby.
4.Amount of food :
The average requirement of milk is about 60 ml/kg /24 hours on the first day, 100ml/kg/24 hours on the
third day and is increased to 150ml/kg/24 hours on the tenth day. However the baby can take as much as
he wants.
Breastfeeding should be continued exclusively for 4 months of age or preferably may be upto 6
months if adequate breast milk is available. The baby should be given only breast milk and nothing else,
not even water for the first 4 months of life; even in summer month .Frequent suckling help to have
adequate amount of milk for the baby.
Complementary foods can be started between 4-6 months, exact age may vary, but the
breast feeding should be continued upto 2 years of age or beyond and especially at night. Mothers
should maintain hygienic measures; take bath and wash her breast during bath and wear clean blouse
during this period to prevent contamination of breast milk.
Breast cancer.
2.Relative contraindications :
Maternal conditions like—
Radiotherapy.
Ergot therapy.
Antimetabolic therapy.
Lithium therapy.
3.Neonatal factors :
Very low birth weight.
Acute illness.
Galactosemia.
DISADVANTAGES :
Breast problems –
Breastfeeding isn’t necessarily problem-free; you may have trouble with sore or cracked nipples,
engorged and painful breasts and mastitis. All of these are uncomfortable for the mother and
mastitis will require treatment, but it’s quite common and can be treated effectively.
Dietary restrictions –
As you are continuing as your baby’s source of nutrition you have to be careful about your own
nutrition and continue to avoid certain food and limit your intake of others, e.g. alcohol and
caffeine.
Hormonal instability –
Breastfeeding releases hormones that make you feel good, but the continuing fluctuation in
hormones after pregnancy can also play havoc with your emotions.
Inconvenience –
While in some ways breastfeeding is incredibly convenient in that you can in large part dispense
with hauling around bottles and sterilizing equipment everywhere you go, it’s less convenient
when you’re not at home and trying to find a suitable quiet place to feed. Breastfeeding may also
make you feel a little trapped as your breasts are in frequent demand.
Dads –
Breastfeeding is obviously something that dad can’t take part in and he may feel left out (though
probably not at 3.30 in the morning when baby’s demanding a feed), to compensate for this you
can express milk with a breast pump so dad can bottle feed your baby while you get chance to
be somewhere else for a change.
Sex –
Some mothers find that they have lower libido when breastfeeding and it may interfere with
your sex life in other ways, for instance by changing the way you view your breasts.
PROBLEMS OF BREAST FEEDING :
A)INVERTED NIPPLES :
Treatment should start after the birth of the baby.
Treatment should be done with local warm packs and analgesics to the mothers to relieve the
pain.
Milk should be expressed gently to soften the breast and then baby should be put to the breast
with good latching.
D)BREAST ABSCESS :
Treatment should be done with analgesics and antibiotics.
Milk to be expressed into the nipple just prior to feed the baby.
Nipples should be placed slightly upwards towards the roof of the baby’s mouth.
1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
7. Practice rooming in - that is, allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
9. Give no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to breastfeeding infants.
10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge
from the hospital or clinic.
The government of India has also enacted a law “ THE INFANT MILK SUBSTITUTES,
FEEDING BOTTLES AND INFANT FOOD ACT, 1998” which prohibits the advertising of infant
milk substitutes and feeding bottles to the public, free sampling, hospital promotion and gifts of sample
of infant milk substitute to health workers. Violation of this law can lead to fine or imprisonment.
CONCLUSION:
Breast feeding is the “GOLD STANDARD “for infant feeding. All babies irrespective of the type of
delivery should get exclusive breast feeding upto 6 months of age. The nurses should encourage the
mothers to breastfeed the baby so as to prevent the baby from many complications in the later life and
also implements the ten successful steps of successful breastfeeding.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
1. Identify the different components of exclusive breast feeding and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.
2. To list out what a nurse can do in helping mothers to maintain lactation.
3. To apply the knowledge gained related to exclusive breast feeding and Ba w2by Friendly Hospital
Initiative in helping mothers both in clinical and community areas.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Dutta Parul; “Pediatric Nursing’’; Jaypee Publication, 2nd edition;
Page no.51-56
2. Ghai OP; “Essential Pediatrics’’; CBS publications; 7th edition;2009
Page no.122-128.
3.Marlow R. Dorothy; “Textbook Of Pediatric Nursing”; Elsevier publications;6 th edition; 2010: Page
no. 372-373.
5.Dutta D. C.; “Textbook of Obstetrics’’; New Central Book Agency (P) Ltd publications;6 th edition;
page no. 449-453.