asynchronous week 6 women and food breastfeeding

summarize why women are disproportionately affected by poverty and at a greater risk for malnutrition over their lifespan

identify WHO breastfeeding recommendations

• exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months and complementary foods with breastfeeding up to 2 years or more

• on demand

• begin within an hour after birth

• bottles and pacifiers should be avoided

explain with examples why breast feeding in accordance with WHO recommendations is the optimal way to feed infants. How are these followed worldwide?

42% of infants are exclusively breastfed for the firsts 6 months worldwide.

• reduced risk of infant mortality, diarrhea and pneumonia are more severe in non breastfed infants

explain why foods need to be introduced to complement breast milk when an infant is 6 months old and nutritional priorities at that time

infant needs more energy and nutrients that can’t be provided only through breastfeeding

• iron rich foods are priority

describe breast milk composition and how it varies

contains nutrients and bioactive factors

• colostrum (concentrated, very nutritious, mild laxative)

  • thought to be dirty milk in roadside squatter settlements but it is in fact very healthy containing growth factors and antibodies

• foremilk - watery

• hindmilk - high fat

all

identify and describe strategies to promote optimal breastfeeding and myths abt breastfeeding in emergencies (natural disaster, famine)

myths: that a mother under stress or suffering from malnutrition cannot nurse

less than 10% to over 60% breastfeeding rates changed since countries experienced large scale humanitarian emergencies

• cascade program (people trained to promote and support breastfeeding)

explain how and when infants can become affected with HIV through vertical transmission

when HIV+ woman transmits virus to child during pregnancy, labour, & delivery, or BREASTFEEDING

• transmission risk reduced to 1% if ART drug used

summarize and justify breastfeeding recommendations for HIV + mothers

risks of other causes of death are higher than a risk of HIV infection.

• if a safe alternative is available use it

  • commercial infant formula

  • safe donor breast milk

• if not available: breastfeed and ARV

  • exclusive for 6 months

  • continue with complementary foods