Breast Feeding
Breastfeeding is the nourishment of a baby on milk through the breast. Importance of Breastfeeding
Objective
By the end of the lesson you should be able to explain the importance of breastfeeding.
Problems Related to Breastfeeding
Many mothers are able to breastfeed successfully. However, some mothers may experience problems which may require help from health professionals, counselors and experienced breastfeeding mothers. The following are some of the problems related to breastfeeding:
- Breast engorgement
- Sore nipples
- Breast abscess
- Inability of the mother to breastfeed
- Mother’s refusal to breastfeed
- Baby’s refusal to breastfeed
- Â Baby’s inability to breastfeed
Objective
By the end of the lesson you should be able to state the problems related to breastfeeding.
Breast engorgement
This is the condition experienced by breastfeeding mothers when breasts become too full of
milk as a result of infrequent breastfeeding. Sore nipples
This condition is as a result of cracking of the nipple. This makes breastfeeding painfull.
Breast abscess
This is a complication that occurs when a cracked nipple is neglected.
The mother needs to seek immediate medical attention. Inability of the mother to breastfeed
This may be caused by:
1. Inverted nipples
2. Severe malnutrition
3. Severe illness
Mother’s refusal to breastfeed
This can be as a result of ignorance and misconception. Baby’s refusal to breastfeed
This can be as a result of:
1. Introducing bottle feeding too early
2. Early weaning
3. Nipple confusion-a problem that arises when a breast fed baby is given a rubber tit.
Baby’s inability to breastfeed
This can be due to:
1. Cleft lip/ palate
2. Oral thrush
3. Illness