Human milk is recommended as the exclusive nutrient source for feeding term infants for the first six months of life and should be continued with the addition of solid foods after six months of age.

Benefits of Breastfeeding:

-Human milk stimulates gastrointestinal growth and motility.

-increases the rate of gastric emptying.

-increases the intestinal lactase activity.

-inhibits microbial activity.

-improves visual function

-lowers the incidence of gastroenteritis and respiratory disease, otitis media, urinary tract infection, sepsis

-prevents overweight and obesity.

-reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease, allergic conditions, diabetes

-improves cognitive development

-promotos stress reduction

Common Problems of Breastfeeding

Inadequate milk production

Poor milk extraction

Improper breastfeeding techniques

Biting

Areolar dermatitis

Nipple and Breast pain (treat with bacitracin or mupirocin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antifungals)

Infants with ankyloglossia (treat with lingual frenotomy)

Nipple vasoconstriction (treat with nifedipine, a vasodilator)

Engorgement (apply warm compresses, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, milk removal)

Plugged ducts (learn correct positions and  latch techniques, empty the breast with frequent feeds, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ultrasound to rule out an abscess

Lactational mastitis: anti-inflammatories, antibiotics (No MRSA risk: dicloxacillin, cephalexin, clindamycin; MRSA risk: use trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, linezolid)

Galactoceles: can occur due to unrelieved plugged ducts, need aspiration.