Arthritis - see Rheumatoid arthritis

Asthma

Breast milk lowers risk of baby developing asthma

More Information:
http://www.asthma.org.uk/all_about_asthma/asthma_basics/index.html
http://www.asthma.org.uk/news_media/news/breast_milk_may_pro.html

Bacteria

Fresh breast milk is never contaminated with bacteria

Bleeding Nipples - see Nipples

Breast Cancer

Breastfeeding helps lower the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer. Research published in the Lancet showed "that for every year that a woman breastfeeds, her risk of breast cancer goes down by 4.3 per cent, on top of the 7 per cent reduction for each child she has. If women breastfed each of their children for an extra six months, it could prevent over 1,000 cases of the disease in Britain each year."

The Lancet 360 (9328) pp.187-195

More information: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/pressreleases/2002/july/40356

Breast Milk

Human milk is especially designed for human babies, containing substances which are essential for brain growth and development and which act to protect babies from illness.

Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby, nothing comes close to it.

Breast Milk - is your baby getting enough?

Mums and their families often worry that the baby isn't getting enough milk. These signs show that the baby is getting enough milk:

• the baby wets six to eight nappies a day.
• the baby gains 100-200g each week (around 400-800g each month).
• the baby drinks as often as every two to three hours (around 8-12 times a day).
• the baby looks normal, has a nice colour and smooth skin, reacts normally, is strong and moves normally.

Your breast size makes no difference to the amount of milk you will produce as both small and large breasts contain almost the same amount of mammary glands, only the amount of fatty tissue varies. If your baby is producing the right amount of nappies every day and is gaining weight there is no need to worry. Don't worry if your baby wants to feed frequently, all babies are different and some have a greater need for feeding and contact.

Having the right support is important to breastfeeding, and it plays a big part in whether you will be successful breastfeeding or not.

Colostrum

Colostrum is the first milk produced by the breasts before the milk flow is established. It helps rid the babies body of meconium

Cot Death

Babies who are at least partly breastfed are one-third less likely to die as a cot death than babies who were never breastfed

McVea KL, Turner PD, Peppler DK., The role of breastfeeding in sudden infant death syndrome., J Hum Lact., 2000; 16: 13-20

More information: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/105812.php

Cracked Nipples - see Nipples

Crohn's disease

Breastfeeding protects against Crohn's disease (intestinal disorder)

More information: http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068969/

Dads - see Fathers

Diabetes - Benefits for babies

Babies who are breastfed for over six months are less likely to develop type 1 diabetes

Diabetes - Benefits for mothers

Breastfeeding a baby helps decrease insulin requirements in diabetic Breastfeeding mothers. It also reduces the risk of contracting type 2 diabetes for non-diabetic mothers.

More information:
http://www.iddtinternational.org.uk/pregnancy/index.htm#Breast_Feeding_and_Weaning_
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4456990.stm

Expressing

Expressing is the art of sqeezing your breasts to produce breast milk. You can do this either by hand or with a breast pump.
By hand - First, wash your hands. Then, place your thumb 4-5cm away from your nipple and your fingers below so they form a "C" around the areola, and squeeze your finger and thumb together, pushing your hand back against the chest wall, continuing this process in a circular motion around your areola. If your finger and thumb are too close to the nipple, the "squeeze" will hurt and be ineffective. Use a sterile, wide-rimmed container to collect the milk.
Using a pump - Electric and manual breast pumps may be faster and more efficient. To use an electric pump, you put a suction cup over your breast, turn the machine on, and let it do the work of extracting milk into an attached container. Manual pumps also use a suction cup, but you extract the milk by using a squeeze mechanism or operating some other device rather than relying on a motor powered by electricity. On average it takes 15 to 45 minutes to pump both breasts. Good breast pumps try to mimic the sucking action of a baby, stimulating your let down reflex, and don't cause pain. Knowing which breast pump is right for you depends on how often you plan to use one and how much time you can spare for expressing. If you work full-time and have to find time to pump during a busy day, you might want to choose an ultrafast hospital-grade electric pump, which are very expensive to buy, or can be hired. But if you only need to express the odd feed occasionally so your partner can feed the baby when you're out, a cheaper manual pump may be sufficient, and some women prefer them to electric pumps.

Eyesight - see Vision

Fathers

Fathers may not be able to breastfeed, but they can help in many other ways, and so don't need to feel left out at all.

Some of the many things that they can do is - the washing up, changing nappies, burping the baby, doing the laundry and giving the baby a bath. If you have a baby sling he could use it to feel closer to the baby when you are out.

A very useful thing for a working father to do is to make Mum some sandwiches before he goes to work, and to leave a jug of water handy for drinks.

Studies have shown that a Dad who knows about breastfeeding and supports his partner can help her start and continue to breastfeed.

Swanson & Power, 2005; Arora et al, 2000; Bromberg & Darby, 1997

More information:
http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/download.php?pID=3640.6M
http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?id=2&cID=581

Feeding - Positioning

New research shows that the best position for Mum is the position she feels most comfortable in. Lots of pillows for support are good. The baby should be chest to chest with Mum, with the babies feet supported.

More information: http://www.biologicalnurturing.com/

Herbs

Herbs have been traditionally used around the world to help produce breast milk. These types of herbs are called galactagogues. Although herbs are not commercially produced medicines they can contain potent ingredients.

Please consult a qualified herbalist or doctor before taking any herbs while you are breastfeeding

Here is a list of commonly used herbs:

Anise

The safety of using anise during pregnancy and breast-feeding is unknown, though it is very likely safe and has traditionally been used to support breast-feeding in some cultures.

Garlic

In two preliminary trials, infants have been shown to nurse longer when their mothers ate garlic than when their mothers took placebos. However, some infants may develop colic if they consume garlic in breast milk.

Goat’s rue (Galega officinalis)

Has a history of use in Europe for supporting breast-feeding. Taking 1 teaspoon of goat’s rue tincture three times per day is considered by European practitioners to be helpful in increasing milk volume. Studies are as yet lacking to support the use of goat’s rue as a galactagogue.

Lavender

Lavender in the bath can help with perineal pain after childbirth.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)

Enriches and increases the flow of breast milk and restores the mother’s energy following childbirth.

Vitex (Vitex agnus castus)

One of the best-recognized herbs in Europe for promoting lactation. An older German clinical trial found that fifteen drops of a vitex tincture three times per day could increase the amount of milk produced by mothers with or without pregnancy complications compared with mothers given vitamin B1 or nothing. Vitex should not be taken during pregnancy.

Sore nipples.

Some healthcare practitioners may recommend a warm, moist poultice of herbs with demulcent (soothing) properties. Demulcents are traditionally used to aid healing and soothe any irritated tissue. Examples of herbs traditionally used as demulcents to relieve sore nipples are marigold (Calendula officinalis), comfrey (Symphytum officinalis), and chickweed (Stellaria media). To prepare a poultice, the dried herbs are moistened with boiling water and wrapped within two layers of gauze. The poultice is then applied to the breasts. Application of a hot water bottle over the poultice will keep the poultice warm longer. Any residue should be washed from the breast before the baby breast-feeds.

Gladstar R. Herbal Healing for Women. New York, Simon and Schuster, 1993, 177.
Mohr H. Clinical investigations of means to increase lactation. Dtsh Med Wschr 1954;79:1513–6 [in German].
Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum and Beaconsfield, UK: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd., 1988, 318.
Mennella JA, Beauchamp GK. The effects of repeated exposure to garlic-flavored milk on the nursling’s behavior. Pediatr Res 1993;34:805–8.
Bingel AS, Farnsworth NR. Higher plants as potential sources of galactagogues. Econ Med Plant Res 1994;6:1–54 [review].

More information:
http://www.llli.org/ba/Nov97.html
http://www.uspharmacist.com/oldformat.asp?url=newlook/files/comp/acf1e63.htm

Intelligence

Studies show that babies who have been exculsively breastfed for a prolonged time have greater intelligence than those fed on formula. Although it is not known whether it is something in the breastmilk, the pysical contact between mother and child, or genetics the evidence shows that breastfeeding improves children's cognitive development.

More information:
http://www.canada.com/topics/lifestyle/parenting/story.html?id=ad4ca15e-8df7-4e8d-b17b-6b4a9e613188
http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/65/5/578

Meconium

Meconium is the first stool that is passed by a baby. Breastfeeding and colostrum helps clear the baby's gut of meconium.

More information: http://www.drhull.com/EncyMaster/M/meconium.html

Nipples - Cracked and Bleeding

Cracked nipples are caused by a poor latch. Breastfeeding should be pain free so please contact Breast Start or ring any of the other breastfeeding helplines to get help with your latch. In the meanwhile try putting some of your own milk on your nipples to aid healing. Only use water to wash your nipples - no soap or lotions.

Obesity

Breastfed babies are less likely to obese adults.

More information: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3673149.stm

Osteoporosis

Long term breastfeeding may help against osteoporosis.

More information: http://web.archive.org/web/20021106205151/http://www.kjsl.com/%7Eboynews/Osteoporosis.html

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is 'the hormone of love and bonding'. It is produced during sex and during giving birth. Oxytocin is often given to pregnant mothers to induce birth.

After birth oxytocin helps to proce milk by contracting the mother's mammary glands in the breast. The amount of milk produced depends on how often the baby suckles.

More information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxytocin

See also - Postpartum Haemorrhage

Positioning for feeding - see feeding

Postpartum Haemorrhage

Breastfeeding, or at least skin-to skin contact with the newborn, helps control haemorrhage by causing the mother to produce natural oxytocin.

Chua S, et al. Influence of nipple stimulation and breastfeeding on postpartum uterine activity. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1994;101:804–805.

Premature babies

Although your baby may not be able to breastfeed it is important for your baby to be given breast milk. Your milk will have adapted for your premature baby and will have more fat, protein and sodium than it would have had if your baby had been born on time. Your baby can then get the antibodies, hormones, enzymes and growth factors contained in it. Breast milk is also easier to digest than formula and expressing the milk is something you can do for your baby.

More information:
http://www.healthpromotionagency.org.uk/Resources/breastfeeding/pdfs/breastfeed%20premature%20babies.pdf http://borntoosoon.org.uk/About_pages/about_b_feeding.html

See also - Expressing

Prolactin

Prolactin controls the amount of milk produced. The more the baby is fed, the more prolactin is released and the more milk produced.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Latest research shows that women who breastfeed for thirteen months or more are half as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis as those who never breastfeed. If you breastfeed for between one and twelve months you have a 25% decreased risk

More information:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7395810.stm
http://press.psprings.co.uk/ard/may/ar84707.pdf

If you have Rheumatoid arthritis and are pregnant, or are breastfeeding now the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society Website has information to help you.

More information:
http://www.rheumatoid.org.uk/article.php?article_id=370
http://www.rheumatoid.org.uk/article.php?article_id=370

Storage Times

Storage time for breastmilk are:

• Room Temperature: 10 hours
• Fridge: 8 days
• Freezer compartment of fridge: 2 weeks
• Freezer (under -19°C): 3-4 months

Urinary Tract Infection

Studies suggest that breastfeeding may have a preventative effect on urinary tract infection in both mother and infant.

Lancet 1990; 335:569-771

More information: http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/UTI/coppa/

Uterus

A suckling baby helps shrink mother's uterus after childbirth

Vegetarian and Vegan Mums

As with any diet, as long as you have a healthy diet you will remain healthy. Breastmilk is the ultimate food, and will not be affected by your diet.

More information: http://www.viva.org.uk/guides/motherandbaby.htm

Vision

A recent study has shown that young children who had been breastfed had better stereoscopic vision.

A Singhal et al, "Infant nutrition and stereoacuity at age 4-6 years, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85/1, 2007: 152-9

More information:
http://medical.merriam-webster.com/medical/stereoacuity
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17209191

Work - Breastfeeding at

The Workplace Regulations require employers to provide suitable rest facilities for workers who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The facilities should be suitably located (e.g. near to toilets) and where necessary should provide appropriate facilities for the new or expectant mother to lie down.

Any breech of health and safety legislation in relation to new and expectant mothers is considered automatic sex discrimination. There is no length of service qualification and the Act gives protective rights to a broad range of workers including the self-employed, agency workers, apprentices, and voluntary workers, depending on the nature of their contract.

More information: http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/3383-Breastfeeding%20RTW.pdf

See also - Expressing