Breastfeeding is the most important healthcare intervention a baby can recieve.

1. BREASTFEEDINGMODULE
Based on Mother Absolute Affection – Infant andYoung Child Feeding guidelines

2. Earlyinitiation
• As early as possible
• When baby opens mouth, turns head as if searching for nipple or sucks on fingers
• First milk = first vaccination
• Protects from jaundice
• Enables more milk production
• Promotes bonding between mother and child

3. Exclusivebreastfeeding
• No additional food, water, or other fluids till 6 months
• Promotes production of more milk
• Decreases transmission of germs from the environment
• Breastmilk contains all the nutrients the baby needs
• Young infants have difficulty digesting animal milk
• Diarrhoea can lead to undernutrition
• Small stomach – frequent small feeds; 8-12 times in 24 hours

4. Positioning
Guide the mother without touching the baby
• Mother should sit comfortably with her back supported
• Hold the baby close to her
• Face the baby to the breast
• Hold the baby’s body in a straight line with the head
• Support the baby’s whole body
• Make sure that the baby is well attached to the breast

6. Attatchment
CALM
• Chin touching the breast
• Areola: more seen Above the breast than below
• Lower lip is turned outwards
• Mouth wide open

9. Expressionofbreastmilk
Situations where breastmilk may have to be expressed
• Relieve engorgement (fullness and pain)
• Inverted nipples
• Baby has difficulty sucking e.g. low birth weight / premature baby
• Mother is sick / mother has to go out without the baby

10. Expressionofbreastmilk
• Mother should express breastmilk herself
• Wash hands before, sit comfortably and hold a clean katori near her breast
• Thumb above and index finger below the nipple-areola
• Press thumb and index finger towards chest wall; press breast behind the nipple-
areola between thumb and index finger
• Press and release alternately; avoid squeezing
• It may take some time for milk to flow
• Express one breast for 5 minutes, then express the other breast and repeat

11. Discourage bottle feeding
• Interferes with baby’s suckling of the breast
• More difficult to clean well than a Katori
Burping after feeds – most important!
Complimentary feeds after 6 months

12. THANK YOU