Category: Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Complications

Posted on by development

Breastfeeding can be tricky, especially in the beginning, and new mothers may face complications and need some extra supports.  Education in the antenatal period is really important to be able to understand how lactation works, how often babies feed and what is normal in terms of frequent feeding, how to know baby is getting enough milk and where to seek support.

Breastfeeding is a learned skill and it takes time to work out what works best.  It takes patience and time but once figured it out, becomes so much easier and worthwhile and the benefits are immense.

***Key Points***

Complications can arise in breastfeeding, more commonly in the early days, however there are lots of supports available and it’s important to seek support early on.

***Key Points***

***Sore nipples***

One of the more common complications is sore or damaged nipples and this is almost likely due to baby not latching properly.  Babies need to open their mouth wide so that the nipple goes all the way to the back of their mouth.  Getting help early on from midwives and lactation consultants will help ensure that baby is attaching correctly and not doing damage to your nipples.

***Key Points***

***Blocked ducts***

Milk ducts can become blocked if the breast isn’t being drained properly and the flow of milk slows down and creates a blockage.  You may feel a lump and it could be painful to feed on that side.  A warm compress and gentle circular massage of the affected area as well as frequent feeding and draining the breast will help release the blocked duct.

***Blocked ducts***

***Engorgement***

 Engorgement occurs when the breasts get too full of milk and it can become painful and difficult for baby to latch on.  Using a warm compress before a feed can assist with an easier flow of milk.  Expressing a small amount helps to make the areas softer and easier for your baby to latch onto.

***Engorgement***

***Mastitis***

Mastitis is an infection that can occur if blocked ducts aren’t relieved or if bacteria enters through cracked skin and causes an infection.  The area will become red and warm and you may experience flu like symptoms.  It is common to need antibiotics if symptoms become severe quickly or are not relieved in 24-48 hrs.  It is important to see a GP and consult with a lactation consultant.

***Mastitis***

***Low milk supply***  

It is very rare for someone not to be able to produce enough milk due to having inadequate glandular tissue is often more commonly due to restricting time at the breast, not feeding frequently enough, not draining the breast or topping up with formula.  If you are not sure that your baby is getting enough milk, it is really important that you seek support so that feeding can be observed, baby can be weighed and a comprehensive plan can be developed to help support you and your baby.

***Low milk supply***  

***When to seek help***  

Anytime that you feel unsure of something, your maternal and child health 24/hr hotline is a great place to seek support.  If you or your baby become unwell, it is important to seek medical advice immediately.  It is also important that you engage with a lactation consultant either through the hospital, through the community or privately.

***When to seek help***  

References

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/common-breastfeeding-problems-beyond-the-basics

 

Breastfeeding Support Services

Posted on by development

***Key Points***

 Education and preparation is key to get your breastfeeding journey off to a great start.

Get empowered by understanding how breastfeeding works and what to expect early on in your pregnancy.

Support is available both privately and in the community throughout your pregnancy, during your hospital stay and well into the postnatal period

***Key Points***

***Antenatal***

Even though babies are born with the natural reflex to suck, learning how to breastfeeding is really like a dance that the two of you need to work out together.   During your pregnancy is a great time to start thinking about what your breastfeeding goals are and the information and support systems you can access to get your journey off to the best start.

Most hospitals have a dedicated team of lactation consultants that run antenatal breastfeeding education sessions and have a lot of available resources.  There are also a lot of community run and private organisations that run these types of classes and a quick online search will provide you with countless options both online and close to your home.  Education is key to understanding what is normal especially in those first few days and what to expect over the coming weeks is really important.  Try to access as many evidence-based resources as possible to inform you.  Some great options include:

  • The Australian Breastfeeding Association

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/

***Antenatal***

***In Hospital***

The midwives in hospital are a depth of knowledge to support you in your breastfeeding journey.  Most hospitals will also have a dedicated team of lactation consultants that offer both in-patient and out-patient appointments.

***In Hospital***

***At Home*** 

Depending on the hospital, some will provide a domiciliary service of midwives that will come and visit you at home in the first few days after going home.  Most public hospitals offer this as a free service and some private hospitals will offer it at an extra charge so it’s worth checking what is available

The Maternal and Child Health Nurse is a free universal primary health service and will generally provide this first visit at your home in the first week or two after birth.  All subsequent visits until you child is school age will be in their community centres.  Many centres will offer breastfeeding drop in sessions or additional scheduled support sessions and access to lactation consultants.  Once your baby is born, the hospital will refer you to this service and they will contact you in the first week after birth.  Details of this service can be found here:

 

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/primary-and-community-health/maternal-and-child-health-service

 

There are also a number of private Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants that you are able to hire and will most often provide home visits too.  It is important to note that not everyone that says they are a lactation consultant is an accredited IBCLC.  To be an IBCLC means extensive theoretical and practical training and to pass certification through an international examining body.

 

LCANZ (Lactation Consultants of Australia and New Zealand has a great database of IBCLC’s registered as members with them and you are able to search via postcode to find someone close to you.

https://www.lcanz.org/find-a-lactation-consultant/

The Australian Breastfeeding Association is an invaluable support that offers a range of services including a 24 hour breastfeeding hotline, local support groups, breastfeeding classes and digital resources.

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/

***At Home*** 

References

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/primary-and-community-health/maternal-and-child-health-service

https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/fact-sheets

https://www.lcanz.org/find-a-lactation-consultant/

Breastfeeding and WHO Guidelines

Posted on by development

The most recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2018) shows that 93% of children between the ages of 0-3 years received breast milk.  However, only 29% of those children were exclusively breastfed until 6 months of age.  Exclusively breastfed means that these infants either breastfed or received expressed breastmilk and no other breastmilk substitutes, food or water for the first 6 months of life.  Medicines, vitamins and minerals where needed were the exception.

***Key Points***

The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of your baby’s life. 

Exclusive breastfeeding means offering your baby no other food or fluids apart from breastmilk.

From 6 months, it is recommended that solids are introduced and that breastfeeding continues until 2 years and beyond. There are ongoing benefits to continuing after the introduction of solid food.

***Key Points***

***WHO Guidelines***

The World Health Organisation (WHO), founded in 1948, is a United Nations agency that aims to attain the highest level of health through connected global health efforts and expanding universal health coverage.

The World Health Organisation recommends that breastfeeding is initiated within the first hour of life and that infants should be breastfed on demand and exclusively for the first 6 months with no other food, liquid or water introduced in that time.

From 6 months, infants should begin eating solids whilst continuing to breastfeed until 2 years and beyond.

***WHO Guidelines***

***Feeding in the first hour after birth***

Initiating breastfeeding in the first hour after birth has been shown to improve exclusive breastfeeding rates and extend the lengths of breastfeeding.  Placing your baby skin to skin immediately after birth not only assists with the first feed, it also helps regulate your babies temperature, heart rate, breathing and enhances communication between your body and your babies’ body.

There are a lot of factors that can impact a baby’s ability and wilingness to feed in the first few hours.  Medications given in labour, caesarean sections, the assistance of forceps or ventouse vacuum, premature birth or a long and exhausting labour are examples of factors that may impact your initial breastfeeding experience.

A sleepy infant or one with a sore head, or born before they have fully developed their feeding reflexes may take a bit of extra time and patience before they are able to breastfeed.  The most beneficial thing to do is as much skin to skin time as possible.  This allows your baby time to become familiar and explore the smells and feelings of your breast in a calm and relaxed environment.  Until they feel comfortable and are able to breastfeed, you can express colostrum and your midwives will help support you and guide you through this process.

***Feeding in the first hour after birth***

***The first 6 months***

The recommendation to not give any bottles, pacifiers, breast milk substitutes or food in the first 6 months is because they can all play a part in reducing milk supply.  Particular introducing breast milk substitutes and food before 6 months can increase allergies.

Signs that your baby is ready to start solids include: being around 6 months of age, can sit with support and have good control of their head and neck.   They will also show a lot of interest whilst watching others eat and mimic mouth movements and often reach out to grab food and bring it to their mouth.

***The first 6 months***

REFERENCES

https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/breastfeeding/latest-release#:~:text=93%25%20of%20children%20aged%200,at%206%20months%20or%20later.

https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_1

Breastfeeding Benefits for Baby

Posted on by development

Breast milk contains the perfect combination of vitamins, proteins and fats to ensure optimal growth for your baby.   These nutritional components are easily absorbed and digested.  The composition of breast milk is also constantly changing to meet your baby’s needs.   It is a dynamic fluid that not only changes over the course of lactation but also from feed to feed and will vary based on whether your baby is born at term or prematurely.

***Key Points***

Breastfeeding has many benefits for both the mother and baby.  Breast milk provides the ideal nutritional for an infant whilst supporting their growth, immune system and development. 

The composition of breast milk changes over time. 

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months

***Key Points***

***Colostrum***

Colostrum is the ‘first milk’ your body starts to produce and is high in protein and nutrient dense with more than 2/3rds of the cells in colostrum being white blood cells that help fight infection.  Specific antibodies and growth factors in colostrum help line the baby’s intestines and promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut.  Minerals such as magnesium and zinc are found in high quantities in colostrum and are essential for supporting the developing heart and brain.

Colostrum is also protective against jaundice.  Babies are born high levels of red blood cells which are needed to carry oxygen around the body.  However, when these blood cells break down, the by-product is called bilirubin.  A baby’s liver can be too immature to break down this bilirubin and it can build up quickly. The laxative properties of colostrum help the baby excrete this excessive bilirubin in their poo.

***Colostrum***

***Bonding***

The physical closeness of breastfeeding helps calm your baby and help them feel more secure.  Placing your baby skin to skin helps regulate a their heart rate, breathing rate, temperature and blood sugar levels.

***Bonding***

***Immune system***

Babies are born with immature immune systems that develop over time as they are exposed to germs.   One way to support a baby’s immune system is through breastfeeding because antibodies already developed by the mother get passed through breast milk and help the baby fight of viruses and bacteria.  Babies that have been exclusively breastfed for 6 months have fewer ear infections, illness of the respiratory tract, episodes of diarrhoea, a reduced risk of asthma and allergies and few hospitalisations.

Breastfeeding has also been demonstrated to reduce the risk of Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Infancy and reduces the risk of a baby dying suddenly and unexpectedly by more than 50%.  These protective factors of breastfeeding increase the longer breastfeeding continues.

***Immune system***

***Long term benefits***

Breastfeeding beyond 6 months and during the introduction of solids assists with providing balanced nutrition.  There is never a known age that breast milk becomes nutritionally insignificant and has many benefits through infancy and beyond.

The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months.  Once solids are introduced they recommend breastfeeding until 2 years and beyond.  How long you consider breastfeeding for is decision made within your family considering what is best for you and your baby.***Long term benefits***

REFERENCES

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/breastmilk-composition

https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_1

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mother

Posted on by development

Breastfeeding has many benefits for newborns, well into infancy and toddlerhood and the World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding until 2 years and beyond.  There are also a lot of really incredible benefits to the mother both in the short term and longer term. 

***Key Points***

Breastfeeding has many benefits not only for a baby, but for a mother as well. 

There are long term benefits that extend well beyond the immediate breastfeeding period.

***Key Points***

***Hormones***

Oxytocin, also known as the ‘love hormone’ gets released as baby latches on and starts sucking.  This helps with bonding and becoming more in tune with your baby’s needs.  It is also the hormone that helps contract your uterus so during the immediate post partum period, it helps to control bleeding and in the following weeks, helps to contract your uterus down to its pre-pregnancy size faster.

Prolactin is another key hormone that helps make you feel relaxed, peacefull and focused on your baby.

***Hormones***

***Sleep***

The idea of partners assisting with feeds in the middle of the night can certainly be enticing, however can sometimes be counter productive.  This is because you would either need to be up and expressing anyway or risk reducing your supply by effectively telling your body you don’t need to produce milk as frequently.

The hormones in breastmilk help regulate an infants circadian rhythm so that they are able to learn the difference between night and day faster.  Hormones released during a breastfeed also assist in getting both mother and baby off into a deeper sleep faster than if you needed to get up and start making up bottles.

***Sleep***

***Less cost***

You might have heard the saying that breastfeeding is free and whilst this isn’t entirely true, in the long run, it is certainly cheaper than formula feeding.  There are some costs involved with breastfeeding and some of these may include breastfeeding singlets and bras, a pump and bottles if you are expressing as well, a private lactation consultant, nipple creams, breast pads and potentially a higher grocery bill to account for the high calorie intake needed when breastfeeding.  Breastfeeding also has the added bonus of being kinder to the environment through not having to discard of formula tins weekly or fortnightly.

***Less cost***

***Long term benefit***

Breastfeeding has been linked to a lower risk of developing some cancers such as ovarian, uterine and breast cancer.  The longer duration of breastfeeding, the more protective it can be.  Breastfeeding women are also able to increase the absorption of calcium in their diet and reduce the amount of calcium lost through urination.  This process is protective against osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life.   Other benefits include reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms, lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

***Long term benefit***

REFERENCES

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22978082/

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2763398

 

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