Birth and Breastfeeding Outcomes
- Duration: 60 Mins
- Credits: 1 CERP, 1 L-CERP, 0.1 Midwifery CEU
- Handout: Yes
Abstract:
A baby’s birth can have a significant impact on breastfeeding outcomes. Medical intervention in normal birthing situations is rife, and globally cesarean rates have soared since 2000. Along with this, breastfeeding rates are less than ideal. A mother who feels a sense of grief about the birth of her baby is consequently more likely to face breastfeeding challenges. IBCLC’s, midwives and medical officers will often begin a breastfeeding consultation by listening to a mother’s unhappy perception of her baby’s birth. This aspect needs to be sensitively supported.
It is high time we take stock and pay more attention to what world health authorities are recommending to improve birthing and thus breastfeeding outcomes. These outcomes can affect a mother’s feelings of empowerment, her physical and mental health. Baby’s health and general development are statistically better when breastfed. There are significant financial savings made by reducing costs in various countries health systems when mothers breastfeed successfully.
There are definite changes we can make, following recommended guidelines and recent research. We can do this individually in our work and also in our affiliations with professional bodies by supporting and encouraging government policymakers and advocacy groups.
These are our future challenges.
Learning Objectives:
Objective 1: Describe ways women can get the very best information about their labor and birth options, particularly the advantages and of natural birth where possible;
Objective 2: Demonstrate awareness of the outcomes for mother and baby when medical interventions during labor and delivery are used unnecessarily;
Objective 3: Explain the relevance to breastfeeding longevity and success by mother and baby having skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible after baby's birth.
