 | | | | Medical Health Encyclopedia | | Moms who breastfeed their babies may feel confused by lack of experience or support, afraid or ashamed to ask for help for such a "natural" activity.
Most problems can be easily managed with guidance from a lactation consultant.
Cow's milk by itself is not an adequate source of complete nutrition for infants. Commercially prepared formulas for bottle feeding are excellent sources of nutrition for babies who do not breastfeed.
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OTHER FACTORS
Some circumstances can change your plans to breastfeed. How and what your baby eats may ultimately depend on the infant's physical condition and your health after birth. However, with help from a consultant, most babies -- even premature babies -- can breastfeed.
Some babies are unable to adequately breastfeed due to:
- Premature birth
- Small size
- Weak physical condition
- Difficulty sucking
- Birth defects of the mouth (cleft lip or cleft palate)
- Digestive problems (breast milk jaundice, galactosemia)
See a lactation consultant if you have a breast infection or breast abscess, breast cancer or other cancer, previous surgery or radiation treatment, or inadequate milk supply (uncommon).
Some mothers are advised NOT to breastfeed due to health problems such as:
- Serious illnesses (heart disease or cancer, for example)
- Nephritis
- Active, untreated tuberculosis
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection or AIDS
- Active herpes lesions on the breast
- Severe malnutrition
RESOURCES
See breastfeeding tips for ways to overcome common problems. Healthcare professionals such as physicians, dietitians, nurses, and nurse-midwives can help answer your questions.
An excellent resource is the La Leche League International --www.lalecheleague.org.
Also see:
Breastfeeding support group
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