Fundamentals of Midwifery: A Textbook for Students (97 page)

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Authors: Louise Lewis

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Infant feeding‌‌

Chapter 10

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Key

points

Infant feeding choices are influenced by social,cultural and emotional factors.

Providing evidence-based information and support to a mother and partner to ensure their baby receives adequate nutrition is a fundamental role of the midwife.

Understanding the physiology of the breast and lactation is necessary to be able to support mothers effectively to initiate and maintain breastfeeding.

Early recognition and appropriate management of breastfeeding complications is a fundamental skill of the midwife.

Understanding the principles of safe formula preparation and feeding is necessary to be able to give parents evidence based information.

Conclusion

Evidence suggests that improving the initiation and duration of breastfeeding will help towards reducing health inequalities. Midwives and health professionals need to be aware of the factors influencing a woman's decisions in infant feeding and ensure that the best available evidence is applied to clinical practice

The care provided should be culturally sensitive

family-centred and responsive to individual needs, respecting values and beliefs. All women need to be sup ported in their choice of infant feeding and receive consistent information and guidance in order to maintain the infant's nutritional requirements and to foster confidence in the mother and her partner.

End of chapter activities

Crossword

Across

Hormone released by the posterior pituitary
8.
The alveoli consist of a single layer of milk- gland causing myoepithelial cells to contract. producing secretory cells called

Lactogenesis II is stimulated by a sudden
9.
Decreased milk production is due to the lac- drop in this hormone. tocytes being too

Ducts that are found 5–8 millimeters from the nipple opening.

Down

Cells surrounding the alveoli.

Has a negative effect on milk production.

The fat content of a breastfeed is higher at the
7.
Glandular tissue within the breast are

Hormone responsible for milk synthesis. arranged in these.

232

Label the diagram

Find out more

Below is a list of things you can find out about to enhance your knowledge of the issues and topics covered in this chapter. Make notes using the chapter content, the references and further reading identified, local policies and guidelines and discussions with colleagues.

Read the infant feeding policy in the local hospital.

Seek the opportunity to spend time with a breastfeeding peer supporter and infant-feeding co-ordinator or lactational consultant.

Read the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and consider how this applies to clinical practice. [Available online] http://www.unicef.org/nutrition/files/nutrition_code_english.pdf

For more information visit: http://www.unicef.or

g.uk/babyfriendly/ www.tongue-tie.org

.uk/ http://www.ibreastfeed.co

.uk/ http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org

.uk/ http://www.lcgb.org/

233