ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY UTURU

P. M. B 2000
FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

ASSIGNMENT ON EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING, COMPONENTS

OF BREAST MILK AND BABY FRIENDLY HOSPITAL INITIATIVE.

Commented [1]:

PRESENTED By
NAME: ELEANYA CHINYERE JANE
MATRIC NO: 13/91599
DATE: 2 DECEMBER 2017

Commented [2]:
EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING " is defined as no other food or drink,
not even water, except breast milk (including milk expressed or from a
wet nurse) for 6 months of life, but allows the infant to receive ORS,
drops and syrups (vitamins, minerals and medicines). Breastfeeding,
also known as nursing , is the feeding of babies and young children
with milk from a woman's breast. Health professionals recommend that
breastfeeding begin within the first hour of a baby's life and continue as
often and as much as the baby wants. During the first few weeks of life
babies may nurse roughly every two to three hours. The duration of a
feeding is usually ten to fifteen minutes on each breast. Older children
feed less often. Mothers may pump milk so that it can be used later
when breastfeeding is not possible. Breastfeeding has a number of
benefits to both mother and baby, which infant formula lacks.
Not all of breast milk's properties are understood, but its nutrient
content is relatively consistent. Breast milk is made from nutrients in
the mother's bloodstream and bodily stores. Breast milk has an optimal
balance of fat , sugar , water , and protein that is needed for a baby's
growth and development. Breastfeeding triggers biochemical reactions
which allows for the enzymes, hormones , growth factors and
immunologic substances to effectively defend against infectious
diseases for the infant . The breastmilk also has long-chain
polyunsaturated fatty acids which help with normal retinal and neural
development.
The composition of breast milk changes depending on how long the
baby nurses at each session, as well as on the child's age. The first
type, produced during the first days after childbirth, is called colostrum .
Colostrum is easy to digest although it is more concentrated than
mature milk. It has a laxative effect that helps the infant to pass early
stools, aiding in the excretion of excess bilirubin , which helps to
prevent
jaundice. It also helps to seal the infants gastrointestional tract from
foreign substances, which may sensitize the baby to foods that the
mother has eaten. Although the baby has received some antibodies
through the placenta, colostrum contains a substance which is new to
the newborn, secretary immunoglobulin A (IgA). IgA works to attack
germs in the mucous membranes of the throat, lungs, and intestines,
which are most likely to come under attack from germs.]
Breasts begin producing mature milk around the third or fourth day
after birth. Early in a nursing session, the breasts produce foremilk , a
thinner milk containing many proteins and vitamins. If the baby keeps
nursing, then hindmilk is produced. Hindmilk has a creamier color and
texture because it contains more fat. Development of infants; it is also
an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications
for the health of mothers. Review of evidence has shown that, on a
population basis, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the optimal
way of feeding infants. Thereafter infants should receive
complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of
age or beyond. Breast milk is the natural first food for babies, it
provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first
months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a childs
nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-
third during the second year of life.
Breast milk promotes sensory and cognitive development, and protects
the infant against infectious and chronic diseases. Exclusive
breastfeeding reduces infant mortality due to common childhood
illnesses such as diarrhoea or pneumonia, and helps for a quicker
recovery during illness.
 COMPONENTS OF BREAST MILK

Immunoglobulins: All types of immunoglobulins are found in human

milk. The highest concentration is found in colostrum, the pre-milk
that is only available from the breast the first three to five days of the
babys life. Secretory IGA, a type of immunoglobulin that protects the
ears, nose, throat, and the GI tract, is found in high amounts in breast
milk throughout the first year. Breast milk levels of IGA against
specific viruses and bacteria increase in response to a maternal
exposure to these organisms.
Lactoferrin: Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein that is found in
human milk, but is not available in formulas. It limits the availability
of iron to bacteria in the intestines, and alters which healthy bacteria
will thrive in the gut. It is found in the highest concentrations in
colostrum, but persists throughout the entire first year. It has a direct
antibiotic effect on bacteria such as staphylococci and E. coli.
Lysozyme: Human breast milk contains lysozyme (a potent digestive
ingredient) at a level thirty times higher than in any formula. While
other components of breast milk vary widely between well-nourished
and poorly nourished mothers, the amount of lysozyme is conserved,
suggesting that it is very important. It has a strong influence on the
type of bacteria that inhabit the intestinal tract.
Growth Factors: Human breast milk specifically encourages the
growth of lactobacillaceae, which are helpful bacteria that can inhibit
many of the disease-causing gram-negative bacteria and parasites.
There is a striking difference between the bacteria found in the guts
of breast and formula-fed infants. Breast-fed infants have a level of
lactobacillus that is typically 10 times greater than that of formula-
fed infants.
Allergic factors: The cows milk protein used in most formulas is a
foreign protein. When babies are exposed to non-human milk, they
actually develop antibodies to the foreign protein.
Carnitine: While carnitine is present in both breast milk and formula,
the carnitine in breast milk has higher bioavailability. Breast-fed
babies have significantly higher carnitine levels than their
 counterparts. Carnitine is necessary to make use of fatty acids as an
energy source.

DHA & ARA: The main long-chain fatty acids found in human milk are still not
present in many formulas in the United States. These lipids are important
structural components, particularly in the substance of the brain and the
retina. Significantly different amounts of these ingredients have been found
in the brains and retinas of breast-fed versus formula-fed infants.

IMPORTANCE OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING

Prenatal Education

Breast milk is all your baby needs for the first six months of life

1. Babies need no other food or fluid, including water.

2. Introducing other food or fluids can cause problems for breastfeeding

and your babys health. The early months of your babys life are essential to

his long-term development

[Link] gives your baby the body-building components that

are particularly suited to his health and development.

4. Milk from animal and plant sources do not contain the bodybuilding

components particularly suited to the human body.

The first milk is colostrum

5. Colostrum is in your breasts starting about the 5th month of

pregnancy. Colostrum is available in small amounts which perfectly match

the

babys stomach size at birth.

6. Small amounts of colostrum in the first few days keep the baby

from overfilling his stomach. This is important while the baby is

learning to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing.

7. Colostrum gives your baby protection against disease that no

formula can give.

[Link] are born with extra fluid stores. This extra fluid is used over

the first few days while their stomach is too small to accommodate much
fluid.

7. The weight loss babies normally experience in the first few days is

simply loss of this water weight.

BABY FRIENDLY INITIATIVE

The Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched by WHO and

UNICEF in 1991, following the Innocenti Declaration of 1990. The initiative is
a global effort to implement practices that protect, promote and support
breastfeeding. This means that routines are being evaluated and changed to
best care practices based on current research evidence. The focus is on
supporting breastfeeding, but the routines such as immediate skin to skin
contact, 24-hour rooming-in with baby, and learning babys feeding cues are
beneficial to all babies and parents regardless of feeding choices. Safe
formula preparation is also a part of Baby Friendly.

The criteria for a hospital's Baby Friendly accreditation include:

1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all

health care staff.

2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.

3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of

breastfeeding.

4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one half-hour of birth.

5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and maintain lactation, even if they

should be separated from their infants.
6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breastmilk, not even sips
of water, unless medically indicated.

7. Practice rooming in - that is, allow mothers and infants to remain together
24 hours a day.

8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.

9. Give no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to

breastfeeding infants.

10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer

mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.

The program also restricts use by the hospital of free formulas or other infant
care aids provided by formula companies and recommends that when
formula is medically needed, it should be given in a small cup or spoon,
rather than a bottle and should only be used to supplement breastfeeding.
As a result, the BFHI has two main goals:
To encourage and facilitate the transformation of hospital facilities in
accordance with the WHO/UNICEF Ten Steps to Successful
Breastfeeding.
To end the practice of distribution of free and low-cost supplies of
breastmilk substitutes to hospitals and health care facilities in
accordance with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk
Substitutes and subsequent relevant WHA Resolutions.
CONCLUSION
Breast milk is widely acknowledged as the most complete form of
nutrition for infants, with a range of benefits for infant health, growth,
and development . Studies indicate that breastfeeding can reduce the
incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), when compared
to formula feeding.