BREAST FEEDING TECHNIQUES AND
POSITIONS
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Introduction
Human breast milk is the healthiest form of milk for babies.
There are few exceptions, such as when the mother is taking
certain drugs or is infected with human T-lymphotropic virus,
HIV, or has active untreated tuberculosis.
Breastfeeding promotes health and helps to prevent disease.
Artificial feeding is associated with more deaths from diarrhea
in infants in both developing and developed countries.
Successful lactation is determined by early
initiation of breastfeeding and continuation of
lactation and again that is determined by
positioning.
Positioning is key to get Latch on.
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FACTORS INFLUENCING BREAST FEEDING
Position
Factors
Attitude of
the
Mother
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Bringing hands to
mouth
Rooting
Suckling
Licking
Nuzzling
Lip smacking
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PREPARATION
Wash hands
Position comfortably and correctly use pillows
or towels for support.
Uncover the breast.
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SIDE-LYING POSITION
Lie on one side
Use pillows
Tummy to tummy
Baby’s mouth in line
with nipple.
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WHEN SIDE-LYING POSITION
Cesarean birth
Uncomfortable sitting
No assistance for latch
on in sitting
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THE FOOTBALL POSITION
Infant legs are under
mother’s arm, with hand
at the base of the head
and neck.
Use pillows
Help infant in latching on
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WHEN FOOTBALL HOLD
Cesarean birth
To see the latch on position
Large breast
Small baby
Infant is sleepy
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THE CRADLE POSITION
Hold the infant in upright
position on mother’s lap
Infant head in crook of mother’s
elbow on the same side close to
the breast, the neck is slightly
extended.
Infant ear, shoulder and hips in
straight line
Tummy to Tummy
Chest to chest of mother and
infant
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THE CROSS CRADLE POSITION
Same of cradle position
but just the opposite hand
was used to support the
infant and the same side
hand was used to hold the
breast.
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WHEN CROSS CRADLE
To learn Latching
To maintain comfortness of the mother
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VARIOUS OTHER POSITIONS TO FEED TWINS
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LATCH ON
Mother holds the baby in upright position on
her lap.
Mouth is wide open and the chin touches the
breast.
Mother guide the nipple and areola into the
baby’s mouth for effective milk transfer
Peristaltic action from the tip of the tongue to
the base.
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STEP 1
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STEP 2
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STEP 3
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STEP 3
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STEP 4
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HOW TO FIND POOR ATTACHMENT
1. Mother feels pain
2. Clicking sound heard
by mother
3. Eager to suck
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PROCESS OF NURSING
Sucks
Swallow
Pause
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Cuddle and fiddle with the baby by stroking
and tickling behind his or her ears or on the
soles so that infant does not lapse into sleep
without adequate feeds.
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DE LATCHING
Watch baby for cues that
he /she is finished
May spontaneously come
off the breast
May fall sleep
If mother wants to stop the
feeding early, break
suction by inserting finger
into corner of infant’s
mouth.
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BURPING
Propped up with baby’s tummy against
shoulder of the mother.
Sitting up, leaning forward on one hand of
the mother with the other hand burps at
back of infant.
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BURPING AND DE LATCHING
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IMPORTANCE OF GOOD POSITION AND
ATTACHMENT
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SIGN OF SUCCESSFUL BREAST FEEDING
One or two wet diapers during the first few
days.
Six to eight wet cloth diapers (5 - 6 wet
disposable diapers) per
day (24 hours).
At least two to five bowel movements every
24 hours.
6 - 10 feedings per24-hours.
Baby’s swallowing sounds are audible.
Gain at least 120 – 210 g per week after the
fourth day of life.
Appear healthy, have good colour, firm
skin, and will be growing in length and
head circumference.
Sound sleep followed by feed.
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Advantages of Breast Feeding
• Breast milk has the exact combination of protein, fats,
vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and sugars needed for the
human infant at various stages of his growth.
• Contain optimum percentage of carbohydrates, protein
and fat.
• Due to the digestibility of breast milk, breastfed babies
are rarely constipated.
• Breastfed babies tend to have less incidence of ear
infections, respiratory illness, allergies, diarrhea, and
vomiting.
• The stools of breastfed babies are mild-smelling.
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• He has easily digestible protein component (Whey to
casein ratio of 60:40
• Contain an easily digested carbohydrate (Lactose) in a
higher concentration
• Rich in sources of linoleic acid an essential fatty acid.
• The calcium phosphorus ratio is 2:1
• Protects against infection and allergies
• It contains 90% of humoral secretary iga that provides
mucosal protection.
• Is hygenic safe readily available at right temperature
needs no preparation and comes free of cost.
• Sucking process helps in the development of the facial
muscles of the baby.
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• Exposed to a variety of tastes through their mother's milk.
• Breastfed children are at less risk for chrohn's disease and
juvenile diabetes.
• They also seem to have better overall dental health than
formula-fed children.
• IQ levels are an average of 8 points higher in children who
were breastfed.
• Adult daughters who were breastfed are at less risk for breast
cancer.
• Adults who were breastfed have a lower risk for high
cholesterol and asthma.
• The bond between mother and child seems to be enhanced
with breastfeeding.
For Mothers
1.Causes the uterus to contract lessening the risk of postpartum
hemorrhage.
2. The uterus of a breastfeeding mother shrinks to its pre-
pregnancy size more quickly.
3. Calories are burned while breastfeeding. It takes approximately
20 calories to produce an ounce of milk.
4. Women who nurse their babies for at least 6 months lessen
their chances of pre-menopausal breast cancer.
5. Osteoporosis and cervical cancer are less common in women
who breastfed.
6. The return of fertility is delayed with breastfeeding.
7. Breastfeeding is more economical than formula feeding.
8. Breast milk is always available, clean, and the right
temperature.
9. Many mothers feel a special satisfaction in knowing that they
alone are meeting the nutritional needs of their babies.
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Contraindications of Breast Feeding
• Mothers suffering from HIV infection
• Mothers with open pulmonary tuberculosis
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Types of Milk
Colostrum, Foremilk and Hindmilk
There are essentially 3 types of breastmilk. These are
colostrum, foremilk and hindmilk.
Colostrum is the yellowish breastmilk that is produced in the
first few days after baby's birth and before normal lactation
begins. Colostrum is especially rich in nutrients and antibodies,
and is the perfect food for a newborn baby.
Foremilk is the milk which is first drawn during a feeding. It
is generally thin and lower in fat content, satisfying the
baby's thirst and liquid needs.
Hindmilk is the milk which follows foremilk during a feeding.
It is richer in fat content and is high in calories. The high fat
and calorie content of this milk is important for your baby's
health and continuing growth.
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