4. Reduces hemorrhage postpartumly
Facilitates involution
Protects against ovarian and breast cancer
Offers contraceptive protection (LAM)
Enhances maternal-infant bonding
Reduces anxiety, stress, depression
Enhances positive self-image
Convenient form of infant nutrition
Economical form of infant nutrition
Hormones (prolactin, oxytocin) induces maternal behavior
Increases relaxation and interaction with infant
MOTHER
5. Prevents hypothermia (low body temperature)
Supports growth and survival through strengthened maternal-infant
bonding
Lower occurrences of infections (gastrointestinal, respiratory, otitis media)
Increases alertness; stronger arousal reactions
Infants tend to walk earlier
Breastmilk is easy to digest
Enhances brain development thus infants tend to
be more intelligent
Lower occurrences of allergy
Lower occurrences of infant abandonment
Stimulates infant social interaction
INFANT
6. Fats
• Breast milk contains about 3.5 g of fat per 100 ml of milk, which provides about
one half of the energy content of the milk. The fat is secreted in small droplets,
and the amount increases as the feed progresses. As a result, the hindmilk
secreted towards the end of a feed is rich in fat and looks creamy white, while the
foremilk at the beginning of a feed contains less fat and looks somewhat bluish-
grey in color.
• Breast-milk fat contains long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
(docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, and arachidonic acid or ARA) that are not
available in other milks.
• These fatty acids are important for the neurological development of a child. DHA
and ARA are added to some varieties of infant formula, but this does not confer
any advantage over breast milk, and may not be as effective as those in breast
milk.
Nutritional Benefits
7. Carbs
• The main carbohydrate is the special milk sugar lactose, a disaccharide.
Breast milk contains about 7 g lactose per 100 ml, which is more than in most
other milks, and is another important source of energy. Another kind of
carbohydrate present in breast milk is oligosaccharides, or sugar chains,
which provide important protection against infection
Protein
• The main carbohydrate is the special milk sugar lactose, a disaccharide.
Breast milk contains about 7 g lactose per 100 ml, which is more than in most
other milks, and is another important source of energy. Another kind of
carbohydrate present in breast milk is oligosaccharides, or sugar chains,
which provide important protection against infection
Nutritional Benefits
8. Vitamins and minerals
• Breast milk normally contains sufficient vitamins for an infant, unless the
mother herself is deficient. The exception is vitamin D. The infant needs
exposure to sunlight to generate endogenous vitamin D – or, if this is not
possible, a supplement.
• The minerals iron and zinc are present in relatively low concentration, but their
bioavailability and absorption is high. Provided that maternal iron status is
adequate, term infants are born with a store of iron to supply their needs; only
infants born with low birth weight may need supplements before 6 months.
Nutritional Benefits
12. Breastfeeding Bottle feeding
Offers the best balance of proteins, growth
stimulants, and nutrients for physical and
mental development.
Always the correct temperature.
Not contaminated with bacteria/viruses
Contains elements that directly fight
infection
Contains substances which fight infection
(particularily important as the infant's
immune system is not fully developed in
the early months).
Breastmilk cannot be diluted or spoil.
Low cost; costs 4-5 times less to
breastfeed an infant.
Biologically compatible with
human infant needs.
Easy to digest.
Requires a clean water source.
Requires a fuel source.
Requires refrigeration.
Requires hygienic conditions in the
home.
Requires a level of literacy to follow
directions for preparation.
Poor circumstances lead to a vicious
cycle of malnutrition and disease due
to over-dilution and contamination.
Can be allergenic.
16. The areola is a circular darker colored
area surrounding the nipple. Lactiferous
sinuses are located under the areola.
17. The nipple is a cone shaped elevation in the center
of the areola of the breast. The nipple contains 15-25
milk ducts, smooth muscle fiber, and a rich supply of
nerves and nerve endings.
18. Montgomery glands are located in the areola. They
enlarge during pregnancy and lactation, looking
like small pimples. They secrete lubrication, which
protects the nipple and areola during pregnancy
and lactation.
19. Lactiferous ducts are located at the end of the
alveolar gland, and are the main ducts of the
mammary gland. They number 15-30 and open on the
nipple. They carry milk to the nipple.
20. The lactiferous sinus is a dilation on the
lactiferous duct at the base of the nipple,
under the areola. Milk collects here, and is
released when the infant suckles.
21. The alveolus is located in the body of
the breast. The cells of this structure
produce and release milk into the
lactiferous sinuses via the lactiferous
ducts.
24. ● During early pregnancy, hormones (estrogen, progesterone,
and prolactin) stimulate the rapid growth and development
of structure in the breast in preparation for lactation.
Prolactin is responsible for the initiation of milk secretion
located on the alveolar cell surfaces. Prolactin is also
responsible for the production of colostrum.
● By the second trimester of pregnancy, placental lactogen
begins to stimulate the secretion of
colostrum. Following the drop of
estrogen and progesterone after
childbirth, copious milk secretion
begins.
25. ● Colostrum is the special milk that is secreted in the first 2–3
days after delivery. It is produced in small amounts, about
40–50 ml on the first day.
● Colostrum is rich in white cells and antibodies and it
contains a larger percentage of protein, minerals and fat-
soluble vitamins (A, E and K) than later milk.
● Colostrum provides important immune protection to an
infant when he or she is first exposed to the micro
organisms in the environment.
● From day 7 to 14, the milk is called
transitional, and after 2 weeks it is
called mature milk.
26. Milk Production: Stage one
The initiation of milk secretion begins in the
postpartum period by a fall in blood levels of
progesterone while prolactin levels remain
high. This occur independent of infant suckling
until the third or fourth day when secretion will
decline if milk is not removed from the breast.
Progesterone Prolactin
27. Milk Production: Stage two
Stage two begins when the secretion of milk
is plentiful (two to three days postpartum)
and the composition changes over the next
10 days to "mature milk."
38. Start by placing baby on one side, toward your breasts. Make sure your
baby’s whole body is facing your chest, with his or her ear, shoulder and hip
in a straight line (those little boy or girl parts should be parallel to the
breast you’re not feeding from).
You don’t want your newborn's head turned to the side — it should be
straight in line with the body. Use a nursing or regular pillow to bring baby
to a height that makes maneuvering him to the breast easier.
How to hold baby when breastfeeding
39. Different breastfeeding positions
• Position your baby so his head rests in the bend
of your elbow of the arm on the side you'll be
breastfeeding, with the hand on that side
supporting the rest of the body.
• Cup your breast with your other hand, placing
your thumb above your nipple and areola at the
spot where your baby’s nose will touch your
breast.
• Your index finger should be at the spot where
your baby’s chin will make contact with the
breast. Lightly compress your breast so that
the nipple points slightly toward your baby's
nose. Baby’s now ready to latch.
CRADLE HOLD
40. Different breastfeeding positions
• Hold your baby's head with the hand
opposite to the breast you’ll be nursing
from (i.e. if nursing from the right breast,
hold the head with your left hand).
• Rest your wrist between your baby’s
shoulder blades, your thumb behind one
ear, your other fingers behind the other
ear.
• Using your free hand, cup your breast as
you would for the cradle hold.
FOOTBALL HOLD
41. Different breastfeeding positions
• Position your baby at your side, facing
you, with baby's legs are tucked under
your arm (yes, like a football) on the
same side as the breast you're nursing
from.
• Support your baby’s head with the same
hand, and use your other hand to cup
your breast as you would for the cradle
hold.
CROSSOVER HOLD
42. Different breastfeeding positions
• Lean back on a bed or couch, well supported
by pillows in a semi-reclining position, so that
when you put your baby tummy-to-tummy
onto your body, head near your breast, gravity
will keep him molded to you.
• Your baby can rest on you in any direction, as
long as the whole front of the body is against
yours and he can reach your breast.
• Your infant can naturally latch on in this
position, or you can help by directing the
nipple toward your little one's mouth.
• Once baby is set up at your breast, you don’t
have to do much besides lie back and relax.
LAID-BACK POSITION
(“biological nursing”)
43. Different breastfeeding positions
• Both you and your baby should lie on
your sides, tummy to tummy.
• Use your hand on the side you’re not
lying on to cup your breast if you need
to.
• When using this position, there should
be no excess bedding around the
infant that could pose a suffocation
hazard. This position shouldn’t be used
on a recliner, couch or water bed for
that same reason.
SIDE-LYING POSITION
(“biological nursing”)
