Initiating and Supporting Breastfeeding: Guidelines for Interventions during the Perinatal Period from the French National College of Midwives

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for children for the first 4 to 6 months of life, with complementary foods added thereafter. It is the most ecological way of protecting the child's and mother's health. Training of health professionals is required to avoid transmitting inconsistent information in 3 areas: 1) implementing these 3 predictors: safe skin‐to‐skin, first breastfeed, and rooming‐in 24/7; 2) teaching and monitoring: i) early signs of waking and feeding rhythms, ii) positioning and latching, and iii) signs of effective transfer; and 3) referring women to specialized support services if difficulties arise (eg, inadequate milk production, pain, cracked nipples, engorgement). Breastfeeding should continue during mastitis or an abscess. Ultrasound‐guided needle aspiration is beneficial in treating an abscess. Précis: Information is provided to enable health professionals to better support breastfeeding and help women with the most common difficulties, thus promoting breastfeeding initiation and duration.

A Community Based Study on Various Aspects of Breast-Feeding Practices from Central India

“…If infants are placed to the breast within the first 60 min after delivery, when the sucking reflex is most active and they are awake and alert, their chances of exclusively nursing improve. [7] Only 173 (31.4%) of the 550 lactating mothers in this study were able to practise timely initiation of breastfeeding, leaving 377 (68.5%) unable to do so. Another study from South India on the factors influencing Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (EIBF) in healthy term newborns found that the use of prelacteal feeds, Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS) delivery, and mother sickness are the primary influences on EIBF.…”

Protecting Infants from Sudden Unexpected Infant Death: Guidelines for Interventions during the Perinatal Period from the French National College of Midwives

“…Breastfeeding reduces the incidence of diarrhea, respiratory infections, and other infectious diseases, and strengthens the immune system as a whole. Several studies have shown that breastfeeding and bottle‐feeling of breast milk are protective factors against SUID ( LE2 ) 14,19,20 . This protective effect is strongest for exclusive breastfeeding.…”

“…Longer maternity leaves could contribute to better adherence to the recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding for 4 to 6 months 20 and could thus help to reduce SUID.…”

“…Several studies have shown that breastfeeding and bottle-feeling of breast milk are protective factors against SUID (LE). 14,19,20 This protective effect is strongest for exclusive breastfeeding. Parents are encouraged to feed their child with breast milk as much as possible and for as long as possible.…”

Intervention during the Perinatal Period: Synthesis of the Clinical Practice Guidelines from the French National College of Midwives

“…Theme 4: Promotion of Child Health ‐ Chapter n°6: Initiating and Supporting Breastfeeding 27 ‐ Chapter n°7: Newborns' Bonding and Attachment, their Rhythms and Needs, Supporting Parents Appropriately 28 ‐ Chapter n°8: Young Children and Screens 29 ‐ Chapter n°9: Protecting Infants from Sudden Unexpected Infant Death 30 ‐ Chapter n°10: Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) or Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma from Shaking 31 …”