Advantages of Breast Milk And Breast Feeding - NEET PG Pediatrics

Breast milk and Breast feeding are one of the most crucial topics of the Pediatrics subject. Students should have a deep understanding the composition, functions and advantages of Breast milk which is exactly what we’ll discuss in this blog.

Read further to elevate your NEET-PG/NExT preparation as we dive deep into the topic and also answer some of the FAQs related to Breast Feeding.

Let’s get started with the FAQs first:

• When should breast feeding be initiated?
  • As soon as possible after birth or within 1 hr of childbirth
  • Irrespective of normal vaginal delivery or C-section
• Exclusive breast feeding is recommended for how long?
  • It is recommended for first 6 months of life
  • Exclusive breast feeding means that baby is given only breast milk, not even sips of water unless medically recommended
• After 6 months of age, what should be started?
  • Complimentary feeding: Refers to some semisolid energy dense food that should be affordable, feasible, acceptable, sustainable, safe & that can be given in addition to breast milk
• What is the problem if food grains are started at <age 6 months?
  • More chances of food allergy are seen in babies
  • Some study linked usage of wheat in <6 months of child to celiac disease
• Storage of expressed breast milk can be done for how long?
  • Depend on temperature of storage:
    • At room temperature: 8-10 hrs
    • In refrigerator at 2-8°C: 24 hrs
    • In deep freezer (-20°C): 3 months
• Signs of good positioning while breast feeding?
  • Body of baby should be:
    • Well supported
    • Turned towards mother
    • Occiput, shoulder and buttocks should be in straight line
    • So close to mother that abdomen of baby should touch abdomen of mother
• What are sign of good attachment while breast feeding?
  • Related to nipple area of mother and oral cavity of baby:
    • Mouth of baby should be wide open
    • Lower lip of baby should be everted or turned out
    • Whole of areola should be covered by mouth except upper part which may be visible 
    • Chin of baby should touch mother’s breast
• What is the contraindication to breast feeding in neonates?
  • Conditions related to baby: Galactosemia, Congenital lactose intolerance 
  • Maternal condition: Absolute – Mother on chemotherapy or radiotherapy
  • Relative CI:
    • Infective condition like maternal HIV 
    • In developed countries – C.I
    • In developing countries – Indicated: Maternal active TB, Varicella involving breast area, Breast abscess

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Advantages of Breast Milk (BM) for the Baby

Let’s talk about the advantages of Breast Milk for the new born infant. 

1. Composition of breast milk:
   • Carbohydrates: BM - 7mg/dL, CM (Cow’s milk) - 4.5 mg/dL
   • Protein: BM - 1gm/dL (i.e., less load on kidney), CM (Cow’s milk) - 3.5 mg/dL
     • AA: Adequate Cysteine, Taurine, Methionine (for CNS development) and BM is richer in whey protein
   • Lipid: ↑PUFA, ↑DHA in mother’s milk
   • Mineral: Ca:P in breast milk is such that it favours Ca absorption, Fe present in BM is more easily absorbable 
   • Vitamins: BM contains adequate amount of all vitamins expect vit D and vit K 
     • Vit B₁₂ in strictly vegetarian mothers
     • Supplement Vit D 400 IU to all babies in first year of life 
     • Vit K - 1 mg IM given to all babies at birth to prevent haemorrhagic disease of new born 

Important information Breast milk contains adequate amount of water, so water is not required in first 6 months of life for baby

2. Anti-infective substances in BM
   • Tech for PLAB
     • TGF – β
     • Phagocytic macrophage
     • Lactoferrin, Lysozyme
     • Antibodies like IgA
     • Bile stimulated lipase

3. BM protection against disease
   • In neonates: NEC, Neonatal sepsis
   • In older age group: Asthma, Obesity, Diabetes, Allergies

4. Breast milk fed babies have:
   • Higher IQ
   • Helps in maternal and child bonding

Also, watch this video by Dr Pritesh Singh where he discusses outline of Breast and enhance your NEET-PG/NExT preparation:

Also Read:  NEET PG 2023 – High-Yield Topics For Pediatrics 

Variation in composition of breast milk

The composition of Breast Milk varies after delivery which is explained below: 

1. Based on time after birth
   • Colostrum in first 72 hrs - Thick and yellowish, very beneficial that it is called 1^st immunization of baby, no pre lacteal feed is given
   • Transitional milk - For next 2 weeks
   • Mature milk – Thin and watery

2. Based on gestational age at which baby is delivered
   • Preterm breast milk is richer in Na, Immunoglobulins, Protein, Iron, Calories

3. Based on each feeding session 
   • Foremilk – Initially watery part, it satisfies mainly thirst of the baby
   • Hindmilk – thick, comes at end, rich in lipids, it satisfies mainly hunger of the baby
     • Mother is recommended to feed from one breast completely before switching to other so that baby receives both foremilk and hindmilk

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