Rania Hosny Tomerak
Cairo University, Egypt
Title: Breastfeeding the preterm; A right must be done right
Biography
Biography: Rania Hosny Tomerak
Abstract
Breast milk is the white blood containing almost all the factors essential for the physical, physiological and psychological maturity of the preterm infant. Its function represents a continuum of the placental function. Preterm infants are inevitably deprived of the placenta in late pregnancy so the human factor should fight to provide the baby with this white blood; the breast milk. This needs a tight strategy to be mastered by the authorized personnel in the NICU. The policy should include the guidelines of milk expression, storage, transfer and providence to the baby. Promotion of the kangaroo mother care is an important adjuvant. Proper counselling of the mother is also of utmost importance together with the post discharge support of the mothers to continue breastfeeding. There are frequently asked questions about breastfeeding but the reply are commonly confusing. A rumour concerning breastfeeding is easily transferred among doctors, nurses, friends and families, with the mother and baby paying the price. These widely spread wrong beliefs represents a major obstacle to successful breastfeeding. In this session, common misbelieves about breastfeeding are handled. Frequently asked questions during the antenatal, natal and postnatal periods are answered. Lots of infants are exposed to formula feeding without any indication. The best way to salvage these infants from this unjustified exposure to formula is proper lactation counselling of their mothers. Identifying the causes of insufficient milk supply is of utmost importance. Targeting these causes and boosting the mother’s milk should be the primary line of management. Paediatricians should be ware of the true indications for formula supplementation, not to deprive our infants of their mothers’ milk.