10 steps to successful breastfeeding

There is strong evidence supporting the superiority of the 'living liquid' produced by mammals for their young. Human breast milk is not only the gold standard in feeding for human babies, but the act of breastfeeding has benefits for mother, family and the wider community.

A few benefits of breastfeeding includes assisting mothers to reduce lower body fat, family food security, protection of the environment from waste and saving foreign exchange.

Many countries, including Jamaica, are signatories to the Innocenti Declaration 1990 and 2005. This declaration calls upon participants to protect, promote and support breastfeeding using four operational targets:

Appoint a national breastfeeding authority.

Ensure that facilities providing maternity services fully practise the 10 steps.

Give effect to the principles and aims of all articles of the international code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes.

Enact legislation protecting and enforcing the breastfeeding rights of working women.

Steps for maternity facilities

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 the policy.

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

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

5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they should be separated from their infants.

6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.

7. Practise rooming in, that is, allow mothers and infants to remain together for 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 hospital or clinic.

Returning to work

Most Jamaican mothers initiate breastfeeding but do not breastfeed exclusively. Many stop breastfeeding when they return to work. Breastfeeding can be maintained when the mother is separated from baby. She can learn to 'hand express' milk or use a pump.

Milk can be stored safely in the refridgerator or freezer so that a caregiver can feed the baby from a cup when the mother returns to work. The mother should plan for this transition and start stocking up early. Milk should be labelled by date and used 'first in, first out'. The milk should not be reheated as this will destroy its beneficial organisms.

Rosalee M. Brown is a registered dietitian/nutritionist who operates Integrated Nutrition and Health Services; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.