Definition of Exclusive Breast Feeding:
According to World Health Organization (WH0), Exclusive breastfeeding” is defined as no other food or drink, not even water, except breast milk (including milk expressed or from a wet nurse) for 6 months of life, but allows the infant to receive ORs, drops and syrups (vitamins, minerals and medicines). Exclusive breastfeeding – that is the infant only receives breast milk without any additional food or drink, not even water.
Immediate Benefits of Exclusive Breast Feeding for Mothers and Newborn:
Immediate benefits exclusive breastfeeding for mothers and newborn are-
- Skin-to-skin contact results in babies that are more likely to latch on correctly.
- Baby is more alert during this time, which makes establishing the breastfeeding relationship easier.
- Nursing helps release oxytocin in the mother which aids in uterine contraction.
- Sucking is a calming activity for babies.
- Baby stays warm, using mother’s body heat to help regulate its own.
- It helps milk come in faster.
- It boosts baby’s immune system.
- It is said that immediate breastfeeding leads to longer nursing relationships.
Benefits of Exclusive Breast Feeding:
1. Benefits for Baby:
- Breast milk is best suited for the baby.
- It contains antibodies which provide protection from infection eg. IgA, IgM
- Breast milk is safe, clean, hygienic and available at correct temperature.
- It protects from acute & chronic infection.
- It contains growth factors.
- It prevents malnutrition & infant mortality rate.
- It builds up mother – child relationship.
- Breast feeding babies are more intelligent.
- It reduces obesity.
- It helps in jaw & teeth development.
- It helps better brain development.
2. Benefits for Mother:
- The risk of post-partum hemorrhage may be reduced.
- The risk of breast & ovarian cancer may be reduced.
- It acts as a contraceptive method and prevents ovulation.
- It helps to reduce obesity.
- It helps in involution of the uterus.
Technique of Breast Feeding:
Technique of breast feeding includes the following-
- Position of mother, her baby language & any possible tension.
- Position of mother’s hand on the breast, using the thumb & index finger to compress the areola and support the breast facilitates infant’s ability to grasp the areola properly.
- Baby’s chin, not the nose is touching mother’s breast.
- Use of alternate breast and feeding time on each breast.
- Technique to breast suction, should release suction using fingers between the areola & lips.
- Maintain correct latching position.
Indications of Breast Feeding:
Indications of breast feeding includes the below:
- Take feed at least eight times in a day.
- The baby has six or more diapers in a day.
- There or eight bowel in a day.
- Average weight gain 18-30 gm/day.
- Mother’s breast may feel full before a feed and softer afterward.
Maria Khatun Mona is a Founder and Editor of Nursing Exercise Blog. She is a Nursing and Midwifery Expert. Currently she is working as a Registered Nurse at Evercare Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. She has great passion in writing different articles on Nursing and Midwifery. Mail her at “[email protected]”
