What is colostrum :

Define : Immediately after delivery, breast milk is yellowish and sticky. This milk is called colostrum and is secreted during the latter part of pregnancy and for the first 5 days after delivery.

Characters & composition of colostrum : 

1. Deep yellow serous fluid
2. Alkaline in reaction.
3. It has got a higher specific gravity.
4. HIgher protein, vitamin – A, sodium and chloride content than breast milk.
5. Lower carbohydrate, fat and potassium than breast milk.

• Colostrum (Protein 8.6%), Fat 2.3% carbohydrate 3.2% water 86%.
• Breast milk : (Protein 1.2%), Fat 3.2% carbohydrate 7.5% water 87%.

Advantages of colostrum : 

1. Colostrum is the first perfect food for babies, with more protein & vitamins than mature breast milk.
2. Different composition with higher calories to meet the need of preterm baby.
3. It is laxative and helps the baby to pass meconium. This also helps to prevent jaundice.
4. Immunoglobulins (mostly IgA) in colostrum provide an anti – infective protection to the baby.
5. Colostrum is a baby’s first immunization against many bacteria and viruses.

Define exclusive Breast feeding :

Define exclusive breast feeding : Giving baby only milk, not even a drop of water or other foods till 6 months of age  is called exclusive breast feeding.

hormones necessary for lactation : 

1. Prolactin
2. Oxytocin
3. Estrogen
4. Progesterone
5. Glucocorticoid
6. Thyroid hormones
7. Growth hormones.

Advantages of women breast feeding : 

Advantages of the baby : 

1. Complete food, species specific .
2. Easily digested and well absorbed.
3. Protects against infection.
4. Promotes emotional bonding.
5. Better brain growth and intelligence.
6. Lower incidence of childhood cancer.

Advantages of mother : 

1. Helps in involution of uterus.
2. Delays pregnancy.
3. Lowers risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
4. Decrease mother’s workload.

Advantages to family and society : 

1. Saves money
2. Promotes family planing.
3. Decreases need for hospitalization.
4. Contributes to child survival

Protective role of human breast milk for babies : 

1. Immunoglobulins : Secretory IgA, IgG, IgM.
2. Cellular elements : Lymphoid cells, polymorphs, macrophages.
3. Opsonic and chemotactic activities of C3 and C4 complement system.
4. Lactoferrin and transferrin.

Disadvantages of supplementary feeding : 

 A. Short term : 

1. Decreased suckling frequency & intensity.
2. Decreased milk production.
3. Iron deficiency.
4. Weaning diarrhoea

B. Long term : 

1. Malnutrition in poor group.
2. Obesity in the affluent.
3. Hypertension, arteriosclerosis

The steps of breast of breast feeding : 

A) Position of baby & mother : 

1. Straight head and body of the baby.
2. Body close to the mother and the whole body should be well supported.
3. Facing breast, nose opposite to nipple.

B) Attachment of the baby  : 

1. Chin – touching the breast.
2. Mouth – wide open 
3. Lower lip – turned out, everted.
4. More areolar visible above than below the mouth.

C) Effective sucking : 

1. Baby takes much of the areolar and breast tissue into the mouth.
2. Lactiferous sinuses are included.
3. Breast tissue stretched out to form a long teat. ⅓ only is formed by the nipple.
4. The baby sucks from the breast not from the nipple.

D) The suck/ swallow / breath – cycle : 

1. Sucking begins when the nipple touches the soft palate.
2. The sinuses are compressed and milk form the breast.
3. The baby swallows when back of the mouth fills with milk and then breaths.
4. The cycle last for 1 sec.

Compare between Breast feeding and artificial feeding : 

Breast feeding : 

1. Breast feeding is the preferred feeding for all infants.
2. Perfect balance of nutrients.
3. Contains high levels of nutrients.
4. Easily digested and absorbed.
5. Human breast milk is remarkably sweet and light.
6. Breast milk has never been recalled
7. Breast feed is an intestinal soother.
8. Breast feeding development of baby’s immune system.
9. Breastfeeding is a natural contraceptive.
10. Breastfeeding is very easy.

Artificial feeding : 

1. Artificial feeding manufacturers attempt to artificially duplicate milk.
2. Not as efficiently utilized as breast milk.
3. Nutritional content depends on proper preparation.
4. Some babies have difficulty tolearating certain nutrients.
5. Formula is pasty and bland.
6. Formula has been, Sometimes after causing injury or death.
7. Artificial feed is a intestinal irritant
8. NO immunity develops
9. No natural contraceptive.
10. Artificial feed is very difficult.