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Page: Conditions that Interfere with Breastfeeding
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While breastfeeding difficulties are not uncommon, putting the baby to the breast as soon as possible after birth helps to reduce them greatly. The AAP breastfeeding policy says: Delay weighing, measuring, bathing, needle-sticks, and eye prophylaxis until after the first feeding is completed. Many breastfeeding difficulties can be resolved with proper hospital procedures, properly trained nurses and hospital staff, and lactation consultants.
Several factors can interfere with successful breastfeeding:
* Formula feeding
* Artificial teats (nipples) or dummies (pacifiers)
* Thrush
* Distractions or interruptions during feeds
* Long separations from the mother
* Tachypnea (rapid breathing) such as in transient tachypnea of the newborn, surfactant deficiency, respiratory distress syndrome or other infant medical conditions
* Swallowing difficulties such as with prematurity and coordination of sucking, swallowing and breathing, or GI tract abnormalities like tracheo-oesophageal fistula.
* Pain resulting from surgical procedures like circumcision, blood tests, or vaccinations.
* Difficulties latching onto the breast
* Poor sucking reflex
* Poor stamina
* Hypoplastic Breasts/Insufficient Glandular Tissue
* Cleft palate
* Ankyloglossia (tongue tie)
* Hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia
* Hypotonia, or "low-tone" infant disorder[
* Hyperlactation syndrome
* Overactive let-down
Premature babies can have difficulties coordinating their sucking reflex with breathing. They may also tire during feeds.
Premature infants unable to take enough calories by mouth may need enteral or gavage feeding - inserting a feeding tube into the stomach to provide enough breast milk or a substitute. This is often done together with Kangaroo care (prolonged skin-to-skin contact with the mother) which makes later breastfeeding easier. For some suckling difficulties, such as may happen with cleft lip/palate, the baby can be fed with a Haberman Feeder.
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Important notice:
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other
qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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