Breastfeeding: Types, Recommendations, and Colostrum

• Breastfeeding is a biological and psychological dialogue between mother and child, starting in the uterus and lasting a lifetime.

Definitions

• Breastfeeding: Act of feeding the infant directly from the mother's breast
• Lactation: Neuro-endocrine physiological phenomenon of breast milk production in the puerperium
• Nursing: Act of feeding the baby with milk, naturally via breast milk or artificially via formula, similar to breast milk but without antibodies

Recommendations

• Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended by WHO and UNICEF up to 6 months of age
• Breastfeeding can continue up to 2 years as a preferred milk source

Types of Breastfeeding

• Exclusive: Only breast milk, usually up to 6 months, with no teas or water
• Predominant: Breast milk, plus water or water-based drinks like tea
• Mixed or Partial: Breast milk and other types of milk
• Complementary: Breast milk plus solid or semi-solid food, to complement, not replace

Colostrum

• It is produced during the 3 to 5 days after the baby's birth
• Colostrum is rich in immunological components and development-promoting factors
• Colostrum is rich in proteins and low in fat
• Colostrum contains live cells and antibodies

Transitional Milk

• It is produce 5 to 15 days after delivery
• Milk gradually changes to mature milk by around the 25th day after delivery

Mature Milk

• Nutritional structure accompanies the baby's growth
• Aspects change, becoming denser and whiter
• The chemical composition changes according to the baby's needs, making the breast milk unique

Hormones Responsible for Lactation

• Prolactin is responsible for milk production
• Increased production occurs at night

Role of Health Professionals in Breastfeeding

• Doctors and nurses protect, promote, and support during breastfeeding

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mothers

• They are calmer
• They are more social
• They breastfeed for longer
• There is more interaction during breastfeeding
• Mothers spend more time with their babies

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Babies

• Ideal nutrition (fats, protein, macronutrients) supports growth and development
• Complete protection against infections due to antibodies in breast milk

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Term Babies

• Improved nutritional status
• Gastrointestinal maturation and neurological development
• Control of infectious and chronic diseases
• Reduced risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes in adulthood
• Decreased risk of otitis media

Concepts

• Amamentation frequency and duration is normally 4-13 times, lasting 12-67 minutes
• Quantity per feed is 67%, or 54-234ml
• Boys consume an average of 831ml, while girls consume 755ml, meaning boys drink more

Important notes

• Feed the baby on demand
• Do not schedule feeding times
• In the baby's first month, avoid letting them sleep for more than 3 hours at a time
• The mother should not wake the baby to feed if the baby is not awake and hungry
• Colostrum is rich in water and lactose

Signs of a Good Latch

• The baby's mouth is wide open, with much of the areola inside
• Chin is touching the breast
• Lower lip is turned outwards
• Nipple is positioned above the baby's tongue
• Rhythmic bursts of sucking and swallowing are audible
• Cheeks appear rounded