Infant FeedingInfant Feeding

Breast milk is the best and Breast milk is the best and optimum source of optimum source of nutritionnutrition

What are the benefits?What are the benefits?

The Department of Health and WHO cite research evidence The Department of Health and WHO cite research evidence thatthat

Breast milk provides all the nutrients a baby needs for Breast milk provides all the nutrients a baby needs for healthy growth and development for the first six months of healthy growth and development for the first six months of life life

Infants exclusively breastfed for six months experience less Infants exclusively breastfed for six months experience less gastrointestinal and/or respiratory infection/ear infectionsgastrointestinal and/or respiratory infection/ear infections

Exclusive breastfeeding for six months is associated with Exclusive breastfeeding for six months is associated with delayed resumption of the menstrual cycle and greater delayed resumption of the menstrual cycle and greater postpartum weight loss in the motherpostpartum weight loss in the mother

Exclusive breastfeeding supports the infant’s gut function Exclusive breastfeeding supports the infant’s gut function during the first six months of lifeduring the first six months of life

Breastfeeding mothers have a reduced risk of developing Breastfeeding mothers have a reduced risk of developing both pre and post menopausal breast and ovarian cancersboth pre and post menopausal breast and ovarian cancers

Are there risks associated with Are there risks associated with exclusive breast feeding to six exclusive breast feeding to six months?months?

No deficits were demonstrated in No deficits were demonstrated in growth among infants who were growth among infants who were exclusively breastfed for six exclusively breastfed for six months months

No benefits of introducing No benefits of introducing complementary food between 4-6 complementary food between 4-6 months have been demonstratedmonths have been demonstrated

Department of Health Department of Health RecommendationsRecommendations

Exclusive breast feeding for the first six months (26 weeks) of an Exclusive breast feeding for the first six months (26 weeks) of an infant’s lifeinfant’s life

Breast feeding (or infant formulae if used) should continue Breast feeding (or infant formulae if used) should continue beyond the first six months, along with appropriate types and beyond the first six months, along with appropriate types and amounts of solid foodamounts of solid food

No evidence to suggest that giving baby solid food prior to six No evidence to suggest that giving baby solid food prior to six months has any health advantagemonths has any health advantage

Infants should be managed individually so that any deficit in Infants should be managed individually so that any deficit in growth and development is identified and managed appropriatelygrowth and development is identified and managed appropriately

All infants are individuals and require a flexible approach to All infants are individuals and require a flexible approach to optimise their nutritional needsoptimise their nutritional needs

Mother should be supported in their choice of feedingMother should be supported in their choice of feeding

Breast Feeding Initiation rates haveBreast Feeding Initiation rates haveincreased to 76% in 2005 compared toincreased to 76% in 2005 compared to69% in 2000 across the UK69% in 2000 across the UK

Breast feeding rates decline rapidly Breast feeding rates decline rapidly afterafter

6 weeks, so how can Childcare Centres6 weeks, so how can Childcare Centressupport continued breast feeding?support continued breast feeding?

What are the main What are the main messages for parents?messages for parents?

Support is available to breast feeding mothers Support is available to breast feeding mothers

Evidence has found many interventions have a Evidence has found many interventions have a positive effect on increasing breast feeding positive effect on increasing breast feeding rates including peer support groups, ante and rates including peer support groups, ante and post natal support and targeted health post natal support and targeted health education of healthcare professionaleducation of healthcare professional

Infants can continue receiving breast milk in a Infants can continue receiving breast milk in a day care / childcare setting day care / childcare setting

Communicate positive messages on breast Communicate positive messages on breast feedingfeeding

Healthy StartHealthy Start

Replaces the Welfare food SchemeReplaces the Welfare food Scheme

Vouchers for pregnant women and children Vouchers for pregnant women and children under 4 years on income support, income under 4 years on income support, income based job seekers allowance or child tax based job seekers allowance or child tax creditcredit

Promote Healthy Start to eligible parentsPromote Healthy Start to eligible parents

Discuss how to use the vouchers Discuss how to use the vouchers appropriately for encouraging breastfeeding appropriately for encouraging breastfeeding and family uptake of fruit and vegetables and family uptake of fruit and vegetables

Formula FeedingFormula Feeding

First milksFirst milks

Second milksSecond milks

Follow on milksFollow on milks

Handling formula milksHandling formula milks

Handling Expressed Breast Handling Expressed Breast MilkMilk

Breast milk should be expressed in to a sterilised Breast milk should be expressed in to a sterilised bottle, capped and stored for up to 24 hoursbottle, capped and stored for up to 24 hours

Frozen for 1 week in the freezer compartment and up Frozen for 1 week in the freezer compartment and up to 3 months in the freezerto 3 months in the freezer

Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator and use within 24 Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator and use within 24 hourshours

Never re-freezeNever re-freeze

Bottles need to be clearly labelled with child’s name Bottles need to be clearly labelled with child’s name and date of birth and dateand date of birth and date