Cecilia is 3 months postpartum after a normal labor and full-term delivery. She
ID: 128648 • Letter: C
Question
Cecilia is 3 months postpartum after a normal labor and full-term delivery. She tells you that she is exclusively breastfeeding her baby about eight times a day but is very tired and is not getting much sleep because her baby always seems fussy between feedings—day and night. She has been determined to lose her “baby weight” and for the past 6 weeks, she has been restricting her caloric intake to around 1200 calories/day, including approximately six diet drinks every day. She reports that the pediatrician told her that the baby’s weight gain has slowed over the past month and she would like her to begin supplementing the baby with formula. She is hesitant to do this because her goal is to continue breastfeeding exclusively until the baby is 6 months old, and then possibly continue until at least the baby’s first birthday.
3 - How does Cecilia know her baby is getting enough breast milk? (4)
4 - What might help her baby’s fussiness and inadequate weight gain? (2 )
5 - Cecilia sometimes pumps her breast milk and freezes it, how long is it safe to store her breast milk in her home freezer? (2)
6 - Cecilia want to take Milk Thistle because she has heard will help her milk supply, what can you tell her? (3)
7 - What recommendatio ns would you give Cecilia to maintain proper breast milk supply? (3)
8 - Cecilia wants to know if she needs to clean her nipples before and after breastfeeding, what can you tell her? (2)
9 - How long should Cecilia breastfeed her baby? Will her baby need supplem ents? When should solid foods be introduced and why? (5)
Explanation / Answer
Breastfeeding is very essential for a baby and exclusive breastfeeding for six months is very crucial for the baby's growth and development. Because, through breastfeeding the baby receives all nutrients, energy and water for nourishment and immunity.
3) There are many difficulties for the mother during breastfeeding and one of the main concern is whether the baby is getting enough feeds from breastfeeding. So, to know this the following parameters can be monitored;
- Proper latching of the baby's mouth with breast mainly on the areola.
- Proper sucking and swallowing activities during the feeding..
- The baby is put on breasts and removes spontaneously from the breasts.
- No fussiness or irritation is seen with the child after the feeding
- The baby's wet the nappies six to seven times a day and pass stopped on everyday basis
- The urine of the child is pale yellow or transparent in colour whereas pops in yellow in colour.
- The baby looks happy and healthy. Moreover, there will be weight gain as per the age.
- The breasts feels softer and niplles remains soft and without change in shape.
4) It is necessary to make the child comfortable with the feeding process because that is needed for baby's health. If the baby is not fed correctly and the child doesn't feel the fullness of feed,then it can result in irritability or fussiness in children. This can ultimately leads to poor weight gain and decreased immunity in the child. So, to remove the fussiness,the child needs to fed correctly. The above mentioned points can be placed in mind during feeding.
Therefore, proper breastfeeding techniques can reduce fussiness and helps to gain weight.
5) Storing breast milk is very helpful for the babies whose mothers are working as well as for other mother's with normal or excess flow. The storage process is helpful but it can be effective only when there are clean conditions to store it and within the stipulated period.
- The breast milk expressed freshly can be stored in room temperature under cool conditions for six to eight hours.
- The freshly expressed breast milk kept in insulated cooler with ice pack around can be kept for one day.
- It can be stored in the back of the refrigerator for three to five days under clean conditions and if it frozen it can be extended for 1 or 2 days.
6) Milk Thistle is a tall plant with purple flowering with prickly spines over it. The name of the plant is Silybum Marianum, which is commonly available in the Mediterranean region. This plant is used traditionally in herbal medicine and considered as galactogogue which helps in boosting supply of breast milk.
However, if a mother is nursing mom, then it is safer to discuss with the treating doctor because it is considered Safe to have milk thistle. But, there are certain drawbacks and side effects associated with the consumption of this plant.
7) It is believed that the milk supply is enough for the baby. But due to certain factors like stress, nutrition imbalance, primi mother, improper positioning in mother and improper latching or some physical disabilities like cleft lip, cleft palate in child can aggravate the problems of breastfeeding. This can directly reduce the milk flow in mother so it can be insufficient for the child.
- Maintain well balanced diet with nutrients like iron, calcium and enough proteins and fats
- Adequate hydration throughout the day for enough milk
- Breastfeeding the baby exclusively with mama's milk
- Comfortable position of mother and correct baby holding to make the feeding process relaxed
- Proper latching of baby with the mother's breast ,this can initiate correct sucking ability for milk
- Avoid using pacifiers and feeding bottles as the baby starts feeling comfortable with those items
- External pumping intermittently can help the flow of milk.
8) As per the recent studies, it is recommended that there is no need of cleaning nipple before and after feeding. But, it is important clean the breasts and nipple during everyday shower, without using lotions or alcoholic agent over it.
If you feel that, you are discomfort with the stickiness of the breasts, it is advisable to just wash with fresh water. Because, the milk and saliva of the baby itself helps the breast and nipple soft and crack free. And it is advised, to wear clean clothes every day.
9) Breastfeeding is always depending on the child's requirement, whenever the baby is hungry even during night time ,it is required to feed the baby. And the mother should feel that the breasts are softer and lesser in feel.
- And exclusive breastfeeding for six months is recommended for the child by the World Health Organisation.
- The baby doesn't require any supplements even water till six months of age. After six months ,the baby can be given supplements like formula feeds if the weaning to be started.
- From the beginning of seventh month, the mother can start the weaning process by adding clear liquids followed by full liquids and then solid foods. This should be slow and steady with inclusive of different food items to avoid monotony.
- So, by the beginning of 8th month ,solid foods can be added to the food list of the baby.
Related Questions
drjack9650@gmail.com
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.