Jones.and.Bartlett.Publishers.Breastfeeding.and.Human.Lactation

TeAM
YYePG
Breastfeeding and
Digitally signed by TeAM YYePG
DN: cn=TeAM YYePG, c=US,
o=TeAM YYePG, ou=TeAM
YYePG, email=yyepg@msn.com
Reason: I attest to the accuracy
and integrity of this document
Date: 2005.08.09 08:49:53
+08'00'

Human Lactation,
Third Edition

Jan Riordan, EdD, RN, IBCLC, FAAN

JONES AND BARTLETT PUBLISHERS

Breastfeeding and Human Lactation


Jones and Bartlett Series in Breastfeeding/Human Lactation
Case Studies in Breastfeeding: Problem-Solving Skills and Strategies, Cadwell/Turner-Maffei
Clinical Lactation: A Visual Guide, Auerbach
Coach’s Notebook: Games and Strategies for Lactation Education, Smith
Comprehensive Lactation Consultant Exam Review, Smith
Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice, Walker, editor
Counseling the Nursing Mother: A Lactation Consultant’s Guide, Third Edition, Lauwers/Shinskie
Impact of Birthing Practices on Breastfeeding: Protecting the Mother and Baby Continuum, Kroeger with Smith
The Lactation Consultant in Private Practice: The ABCs of Getting Started, Smith
Reclaiming Breastfeeding for the United States: Protection, Promotion and Support, Cadwell
Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding: An 18 Hour Interdisciplinary Breastfeeding Management Course for the United
States, Cadwell/Turner-Maffei
Varney’s Midwifery, Fourth Edition, Varney/Kriebs/Gegor

Breastfeeding and Human
Lactation
Third Edition
Jan Riordan, EdD, RN, IBCLC, FAAN
Professor
School of Nursing

Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas
Lactation Consultant
Via Christi Regional Medical Center
St. Joseph Campus
Wichita, Kansas

World Headquarters
Jones and Bartlett Publishers
40 Tall Pine Drive
Sudbury, MA 01776
978-443-5000
info@jbpub.com
www.jbpub.com

Jones and Bartlett Publishers Canada
2406 Nikanna Road
Mississauga, ON L5C 2W6
CANADA


Jones and Bartlett Publishers
International
Barb House, Barb Mews
London W6 7PA
UK

Copyright © 2005 by Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.
Cover image © InJoy Productions, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilized in any
form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and
retrieval system, without written permission from the copyright owner.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Breastfeeding and human lactation / [edited by] Jan Riordan.— 3rd ed.
p. ; cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-7637-4585-5 (hardcover)
1. Breast feeding. 2. Lactation.
[DNLM: 1. Breast Feeding. 2. Infant Nutrition. 3. Lactation. 4.
Milk, Human. WS 125 B8293 2004] I. Riordan, Jan.
RJ216.B775 2004

649'.33—dc22
2003022400
Chief Executive Officer: Clayton Jones
Chief Operating Officer: Don W. Jones, Jr.
President of Jones and Bartlett Higher Education and
Professional Publishing: Robert W. Holland, Jr.
V.P., Design and Production: Anne Spencer
V.P., Manufacturing and Inventory Control: Therese
Bräuer
V.P. of Sales and Marketing: William Kane
Acquisitions Editor: Penny M. Glynn
Production Manager: Amy Rose

Editorial Assistant: Amy Sibley
Associate Production Editor: Jenny L. McIsaac
Director of Marketing: Alisha Weisman
Marketing Manager: Edward McKenna
Manufacturing Buyer: Amy Bacus
Cover Design: Anne Spencer
Composition: Modern Graphics Incorporated

Printing and Binding: Malloy Inc.
Cover Printing: Malloy Inc.

Printed in the United States of America
08 07 06 05 04
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

This book is dedicated to breastfeeding women
and their babies around the globe.

This page intentionally left blank

TA B L E
Preface
Acknowledgements

xxi
xxiii

O F


CO N T E N T S

Chapter Authors

SECTION 1

xxiv

H I STOR ICAL AN D
WOR K P E R S P ECTIVE S

CHAPTER 1

Internet Resources

26

References


27

Tides in Breastfeeding Practice

3

Evidence About Breastfeeding Practices
Large-Scale Surveys
Other Evidence

3
3
4

The Biological Norm in Infant Feeding
Early Human Evolution
Early Breastfeeding Practices

5
5

5

The Replacement of Maternal Breastfeeding
Wet-Nursing
Hand-Fed Foods
Timing of the Introduction of Hand-Feeding

5
5
6
7

Technological Innovations in
Infant Feeding
The Social Context
The Technological Context
The Role of the Medical Community

8
8

9
9

The Prevalence of Breastfeeding
United States, England, and Europe
Developing Regions

12
12
13

The Cost of Not Breastfeeding
Health Risks of Using Manufactured
Infant Milks
Economic Costs of Using Manufactured
Infant Milks

15

The Unique Characteristics of Counseling

Breastfeeding Women
44

16

48
48
49
50
51

CHAPTER 2

Work Strategies and the
Lactation Consultant
History

31

Do Lactation Consultants Make a

Difference?

32

Certification

32

Getting a Job as a Lactation Consultant
Interviewing for a Job
Gaining Clinical Experience

35
36
36

LC Education

37

Lactation Programs
Workload Issues

38
41

Developing a Lactation Program
Marketing

41
44

The Promotion of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Promotion in the
United States
International Breastfeeding Promotion
Private Support Movements

19
20
23

Summary

24

Roles and Responsibilities
Stages of Role Development
Lactation Consultants in the
Community Setting
Medical Office
Lactation Consultants and
Volunteer Counselors
Networking
Reporting and Charting
Clinical Care Plans

Key Concepts

25

Legal and Ethical Considerations

16
18

31

45
46
47
47

vii

viii

Breastfeeding and Human Lactation

Reimbursement
Insurance and Third-Party Payment
Coding

53
53
56

Private Practice
The Business of Doing Business
Payment and Fees

57
57
58

Partnerships

59

Summary

60

Key Concepts

61

Internet Resources

62

References

62

SECTION 2

A NATOM ICAL AN D
B IOLOG ICAL I M P E RATIVE S

CHAPTER 3

Breathing and Suckling

87

Frequency of Feedings

89

Summary

90

Key Concepts

90

References

92

Anatomy and Physiology
of Lactation

67

Mammogenesis

67

Breast Structure

69

Variations

72

Pregnancy

72

Lactogenesis
Delay in Lactogenesis

73
74

The Biological Specificity
of Breastmilk

Hormonal Influences
Progesterone
Prolactin
Cortisol
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
Prolactin-Inhibiting Factor
Oxytocin

74
75
75
77
77
77
78

Milk Synthesis and Maturational Changes 98

Milk Production

79

Autocrine Versus Endocrine

79

Galactopoiesis

80

Galactorrhea

80

Clinical Implications: Mother
Breast Assessment
Classification of Nipple Function
Concepts to Practice

80
80
82
82

Newborn Oral Development

83

Suckling

85

CHAPTER 4

97

Energy, Volume, and Growth
Caloric Density
Milk Volume and Storage Capacity
Differences in Milk Volume
Between Breasts
Infant Growth

98
99
100
102
103

Nutritional Values
Fat
Lactose
Protein
Vitamins and Micronutrients
Minerals
Preterm Milk

103
103
105
106
106
108
110

Anti-infective Properties
Gastroenteritis and Diarrheal Disease
Respiratory Illness
Otitis Media
Controversies and Claims

111
111
112
114
115

Contents

Chronic Disease Protection
Childhood Cancer
Allergies and Atopic Disease
Asthma

115
116
116
117

The Immune System
117
Active Versus Passive Immunity
117
Cells
118
Antibodies/Immunoglobulins
119
Nonantibody Antibacterial Protection
120
Anti-inflammatory and Immunomodulating
Components
121

Calculating Infant Exposure
Unique Infant Factors
Maternal Factors

143
144
146

Minimizing the Risk

146

Effect of Medications on Milk Production
Drugs That May Inhibit Milk Production
Drugs That May Stimulate
Milk Production
Herbs

146
146
148
149

Review of Selected Drug Classes
Analgesics
Antibiotics
Antihypertensives
Psychotherapeutic Agents
Corticosteroids
Thyroid and Antithyroid Medications

149
149
150
153
153
157
157

Bioactive Components
Enzymes
Growth Factors and Hormones
Taurine

122
122
123
124

Implications for Clinical Practice

124

Drugs of Abuse

158

Summary

126

Radioisotopes

159

Key Concepts

126

Radiocontrast Agents

159

Internet Resources

127

Summary

161

Key Concepts

162

References

128

Internet Resources

162

Appendix 4-A: Composition of Human
Colostrum and Mature Breastmilk

136

References

162

CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 5

Drug Therapy
and Breastfeeding

Viruses and Breastfeeding
137

The Alveolar Subunit

138

Drug Transfer into Human Milk
Passive Diffusion of Drugs into Milk
Ion Trapping
Molecular Weight
Lipophilicity
Milk/Plasma Ratio
Maternal Plasma Levels
Bioavailability
Drug Metabolites

139
140
141
141
142
142
142
143
143

167

HIV and Infant Feeding

167

Exclusive Breastfeeding

168

What We Know
Treatment and Prevention

168
170

Health-Care Practitioners
Counseling

171
171

Herpes Simplex Virus

172

Chickenpox/Varicella

173

Cytomegalovirus

175

ix

x

Breastfeeding and Human Lactation

Rubella

176

Implications for Practice

178

Hepatitis B

176

Summary

179

Hepatitis C

176

Key Concepts

179

Human Lymphotropic Virus

177

Internet Resources

180

West Nile Virus

177

References

181

P R E NATAL , P E R I NATAL , AN D
P OSTNATAL P E R IODS

SECTION 3

Breastfeeding Preparation

185

Clinical Implications
Breastfeeding Assessment
Discharge Planning
Basic Feeding Techniques
Signs That Intervention Is Needed
Discharge

Early Feedings

186

Summary

212

Feeding Positions
Latch-on and Positioning Techniques

191
191

Key Concepts

212

Internet Resources

214

The Infant Who Has Not Latched-On
Plan for the Baby Who Has Not
Latched-On Yet
Establishing the Milk Supply
Assessment of the Mother’s
Nipples and Breasts
Baby Problems That May Cause
Difficulty with Latch-on

192

References

214

CHAPTER 7

Perinatal and
Intrapartum Care

185

194
194
196
196

The 34 to 38 “Weeker”

197

Feeding Methods
Cup-Feeding
Finger-Feeding

198
198
199

Nipple Shields

200

Hypoglycemia

201

Cesarean Births

204

Breast Engorgement

205

Breast Edema

206

Hand Expression

207

209
209
210
210
211
211

CHAPTER 8

Postpartum Care

217

Hydration and Nutrition in the Neonate
Signs of Adequate Milk Intake
Milk Supply––Too Much or Too Little
Temporary Low Milk Supply or
Delayed Lactogenesis
Effect of Pharmaceutical Agents on
Milk Supply
Too Much Milk

217
218
218

220
221

Nipple Pain
Treatments for Painful Nipples
Nipple Creams and Gels

221
225
225

Engorgement + Milk Stasis = Involution

228

Breast Massage

228

Clothing, Leaking, Bras, and
Breast Pads

228

220

Contents

Infant Concerns
Pacifiers
Stooling Patterns
Jaundice in the Newborn
Breast Refusal and Latching Problems
Later Breast Refusal
Crying and Colic

230
230
231
232
232
234
234

Multiple Infants
Full-Term Twins or Triplets
Preterm or Ill Multiples
Putting It All Together
Partial Breastfeeding and Human
Milk Feeding

236
237
237
238

Mammoplasty
Breast Reduction
Mastopexy
Breast Augmentation

261
261
263
263

Breast Lumps and Surgery
Galactoceles
Fibrocystic Disease

265
266
267

Bleeding from the Breast

267

Breast Cancer
Lactation Following Breast Cancer

268
269

239

Clinical Implications

270

Breastfeeding During Pregnancy

240

Summary

271

Clinical Implications

241

Key Concepts

271

Summary

242

Internet Resources

273

Key Concepts

242

References

273

Internet Resources

242

References

243

CHAPTER 9

Breast-Related Problems

247

Nipple Variations
Inverted or Flat Nipples
Absence of Nipple Pore Openings
Large or Elongated Nipples

247
247
248
248

Plugged Ducts

248

Mastitis
Treatment for Mastitis
Types of Mastitis

250
251
252

Breast Abscess

254

Breast and Nipple Rashes, Lesions, and
Eczema

254

Candidiasis (Thrush)
Treatment

255
256

Breast Pain

260

Vasospasm

260

Milk Blister

261

CHAPTER 10

Low Intake in the Breastfed
Infant: Maternal and
Infant Considerations

277

Factors That Influence Maternal
Milk Production

277

Normal Milk Intake and Rate of Gain

279

US Growth Curves
Current Growth Curves Still
Underrepresent Breastfeeding

280
280

Low Intake and Low Milk Supply: Definitions and Incidence of Occurrence
282
Confusing Terminology and
Nonstandardized Research
282
The Infant’s Presentation
283
The Mother’s Presentation
285
Abnormal Patterns of Growth: The Baby
Who Appears Healthy
286
Inadequate Weight Gain in the
First Month
286
The Near-Term Infant
286

xi

xii

Breastfeeding and Human Lactation

Oral-Motor Dysfunction
(Ineffective Suckling)
Gastroesophageal Reflux/Cow Milk
Allergy/Oversupply
Nonspecific Neurological Problems
Ankyloglossia (Tight Frenulum,
Tongue-Tie)
Abnormal Patterns of Growth:
The Baby with Obvious Illness
Maternal Considerations:
The Mother Who Appears Healthy
Delayed Lactogenesis
Stress
Inverted Nipples
Nipple Shields
Medications and Substances
Hormonal Alterations
Breast Surgery
Insufficient Glandular Development
of the Breast
Psychosocial Factors
Maternal Nutrition

286
290
291
291

303
304

Summary

305

Key Concepts

306

Internet Resources

307

References

307

292

CHAPTER 11
293
293
293
294
294
294
294
295
295
296
296

Maternal Considerations:
Obvious Illness

296

History, Physical Exam, and
Differential Diagnosis
History
Physical Examination
Differential Diagnosis

296
296
296
297

Clinical Management
Determining the Need
for Supplementation

Galactagogues
Hindmilk

297
297

Intervention
Reducing the Amount
of Supplementation
Family and Peer Support
When Maternal Milk Supply Does
Not Increase

297

300

Special Techniques for Management of
Low Intake or Low Supply
Breast Massage
Switch Nursing
Feeding-Tube Device
Test Weighing

300
300
300
301
303

300
300

Jaundice and the
Breastfed Baby

311

Neonatal Jaundice

312

Assessment of Jaundice

313

Postnatal Pattern of Jaundice

314

Breastmilk Jaundice

314

Breast-Nonfeeding Jaundice

314

Bilirubin Encephalopathy

316

Evaluation of Jaundice
Diagnostic Assessment

316
317

Management of Jaundice

318

Key Concepts

319

Internet Resources

320

References

320

CHAPTER 12

Breast Pumps and
Other Technologies

323

Concerns of Mothers

323

Stimulating the Milk-Ejection Reflex

324

Hormonal Considerations
Prolactin
Clinical Implications
Oxytocin

328
328
329
330

Pumps
Mechanical Milk Removal

330
330

Contents

Compression
The Evolution of Pumps

331
331

A Comparison of Pumps
Manual Hand Pumps
Battery-Operated Pumps
Electric Pumps

332
333
335
336

Simultaneous and/or
Sequential Pumping

338

Flanges

338

Miscellaneous Pumps
Pedal Pumps

342
342

Clinical Implications Regarding
Breast Pumps

342

When Pumps Cause Problems

345

Sample Guidelines for Pumping

345

Common Pumping Problems

347

Nipple Shields
Review of Literature
Types of Shields
Shield Selection and Instructions
Weaning from the Shield
Responsibilities

349
350
351
351
352
352

Breast Shells

354

Feeding-Tube Devices
Situations for Use

355
355

Summary

357

Key Concepts

358

Internet Resources

361

References

361

Appendix 12-A: Manufacturers/
Distributors of Breast Pumps

365

CHAPTER 13

Breastfeeding the
Preterm Infant
Suitability of Human Milk for Preterm
Infants

367
367

Mothers of Preterm Infants

368

Rates of Breastfeeding Initiation and
Duration

370

Research-Based Lactation Support
Services
The Decision to Breastfeed
Facilitating an Informed Decision
Alternatives to Exclusive, Long-Term
Breastfeeding
Models for Hospital-Based Lactation
Support Services

370
370
370
370
371

Initiation of Mechanical Milk Expression 372
Principles of Milk Expression
372
Selecting a Breast Pump
372
Milk-Expression Technique
373
Milk Expression Schedule
374
Written Pumping Records
374
Maintaining Maternal Milk Volume
Expressed Milk Volume Guidelines
Preventing Low Milk Volume
Skin-to-Skin (Kangaroo) Care

376
376
376
377

Evidence-Based Guidelines for Milk
Collection, Storage, and Feeding
Guidelines for Collection and Storage
of Expressed Mother’s Milk (EMM)
Preparing Expressed Mother’s Milk
for Infant Feeding

379

Special Issues Regarding the Feeding
of EMM
Volume Restriction Status
Commercial Nutritional Additives
Hindmilk Feeding
Methods of Milk Delivery
Maternal Medication Use

380
382
382
382
383
383

Feeding at Breast in the NICU
Suckling at the Emptied Breast
The Science of Early Breastfeeding
Progression of In-Hospital Breastfeeding
Milk Transfer During Breastfeeding

384
384
385
390
390

Discharge Planning for
Postdischarge Breastfeeding
Getting Enough: Determining the Need
for Extra Milk Feedings

378
378

396
397

xiii

xiv

Breastfeeding and Human Lactation

Methods to Deliver Extra Milk Feedings
Away from the Breast

398

Postdischarge Breastfeeding Management 398
Summary

399

Key Concepts

399

Internet Resources

400

References

401

Appendix 13-A: The Preterm Infant
Breastfeeding Behavior Scale (PIBBS)

407

The Benefits of Banked Donor
Human Milk
Species Specificity
Ease of Digestion
Promotion of Growth, Maturation,
and Development of Organ Systems
Immunological Benefits

413
413
413
414
414

Clinical Uses
Distribution of Banked Donor Milk:
Setting Priorities
Classifying Clinical Uses: Is Donor
Milk Food or Medicine?

414

Current Practice
Donor Selection and Screening
Collection
Pasteurization
Packaging and Transport
Costs of Banked Donor Milk

420
420
422
422
425
425

A Brief History of Human Milk Banking 409
Foundations of Donor Human Milk
Banking: Pre-1975
409
Donor Human Milk Banking in the
United States: Post-1975
410
Potential Hazards of Informal Sharing of
Human Milk
411

Policy Statements Supporting the
Use of Banked Donor Human Milk

425

Summary

426

Key Concepts

427

Internet Resources

427

Donor Human Milk Banking Beyond
North America
The Impact of Culture on Donor
Milk Banking

References

427

Appendix 14-A: Storage and Handling
of Expressed Human Milk

432

CHAPTER 14

Donor Human Milk Banking
Defining Donor Milk Banking

409
409

412
413

414
415

B EYON D

SECTION 4

P OSTPARTU M
CHAPTER 15

Maternal Nutrition
During Lactation

437

Maternal Caloric Needs

438

Maternal Fluid Needs

439

Weight Loss

439

Exercise

440

Calcium Needs and Bone Loss

441

Vegetarian Diets

442

Dietary Supplements

442

Foods That Pass Into Milk
Caffeine
Food Flavorings

443
443
443

Allergens in Breastmilk

443

The Goal of the Maternal Diet
During Lactation

444

Contents

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Multiple Sclerosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis

470
471
471

Physically Challenged Mothers
Seizure Disorders

472
473

Headaches

475
476
477

453

Postpartum Depression
Clinical Implications
Medications and Herbal Therapy
for Depression
Support for the Mother with
Postpartum Depression

480

Key Concepts

453

Asthma

480

Internet Resources

454

Smoking

480

References

454

Poison Ivy Dermatitis

481

Diagnostic Studies Using Radioisotopes

481

The Impact of Maternal Illness
and Hospitalization

482

Summary

482

Key Concepts

483

Internet Resources

484

References

484

Nutrition Basics
Energy

446
446

Macronutrients
Carbohydrates
Protein
Fat

447
447
447
448

Micronutrients
Vitamins
Minerals

448
448
449

Clinical Implications

449

Summary

CHAPTER 16

Women’s Health
and Breastfeeding

459

Alterations in Endocrine and
Metabolic Functioning
Diabetes
Thyroid Disease
Pituitary Dysfunction
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Theca Lutein Cysts
Cystic Fibrosis

459
459
461
462
462
462
463

Acute Illness and Infections
Tuberculosis
Group B Streptococcus
Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

463
464
464
465

Maternal Immunizations

478

CHAPTER 17

Maternal Employment
and Breastfeeding

487

Why Women Work

487

Historical Perspective

488

465

The Effect of Work on Breastfeeding

488

Surgery

465

Donating Blood

466

Relactation

467

Induced Lactation
Domperidone, Metoclopramide,
and Sulpride

467
468

Autoimmune Diseases

470

Strategies to Manage Breastfeeding
and Work
Prenatal Planning and Preparation
Return to Work
Hand Expression and Pumping
Human Milk Storage
Fatigue and Loss of Sleep
Maintaining an Adequate Milk Supply
The Day-Care Dilemma

489
489
491
492
493
496
496
497

xv

xvi

Breastfeeding and Human Lactation

Workplace Strategies
Lactation Programs in Work Sites
The Employer’s Perspective
Community Strategies
Health-Care Providers and
Lactation Consultants
Breastfeeding Support Groups

497
498
500
501
501
501

National and International Strategies
Legislative Support and
Public Advocacy
International Labour Organization

501
501
503

Clinical Implications

503

Summary

505

Key Concepts

506

Internet Resources

507

Other Resources

507

References

507

CHAPTER 18

Child Health

509

Developmental Outcomes and Infant
Feeding

509

Growth and Development
Physical Growth
Weight and Length
Senses
Reflexes
Levels of Arousal

511
511
512
513
514
514

Theories of Development
Nature Versus Nurture

514
514

Social Development
Language and Communication
Attachment and Bonding
Temperament
Stranger Distress
Separation Anxiety

517
517
520
523
523
523

Clinical Implications
Immunizations

Vitamin D and Rickets

527

Dental Health and Orofacial
Development

527

Solid Foods
Introducing Solid Foods
Choosing the Diet
Choosing Feeding Location
Delaying Solid Foods

528
528
529
531
531

Obesity

532

Co-Sleeping

532

Long-Term Breastfeeding

533

Weaning

533

Implications for Practice

534

Summary

535

Key Concepts

535

Internet Resources

536

References

536

CHAPTER 19

The Ill Child:
Breastfeeding Implications
Team Care for the Child with
Feeding Difficulties

541
541

Feeding Behaviors of the Ill Infant/Child 541
What to Do If Weight Gain
Is Inadequate
What to Do When Direct Breastfeeding
Is Not Sufficient
Alternative Feeding Methods

544
544
546

Care of the Hospitalized Breastfeeding
Infant/Child
Home from the Hospital:
The Rebound Effect

550

525

Perioperative Care of the Breastfeeding
Infant/Child

551

525

Emergency Room

552

548

Contents

Care of Children with
Selected Conditions
Infection
Gastroenteritis
Respiratory Infections
Pneumonia
Bronchiolitis
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Otitis Media
Meningitis

552
552
552
554
555
555
556
556
556

Alterations in Neurological Functioning
Down Syndrome or Trisomy 21
Neural Tube Defects
Hydrocephalus

557
560
560
561

Congenital Heart Disease

561

Oral/Facial Anomalies
Cleft Lip and Palate
Pierre Robin Sequence
Choanal Atresia

563
563
566
568

Gastrointestinal Anomalies
and Disorders
Esophageal Atresia/Tracheoesophageal
Fistula
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Pyloric Stenosis
Imperforate Anus

568
569
571
571

Metabolic Dysfunction
Phenylketonuria
Galactosemia
Congenital Hypothyroidism
Type I Diabetes
Celiac Disease
Cystic Fibrosis

571
572
572
574
575
575
575

Allergies

576

Food Intolerance
Lactose Intolerance

579
579

Psychosocial Concerns
Family Stress
Coping with Siblings
Chronic Grief and Loss
The Magic-Milk Syndrome

579
579
581
581
581

568

The Empty Cradle...When a Child Dies
Caring for Bereaved Families

582
582

Summary

583

Key Concepts

583

Internet Resources

584

References

585

CHAPTER 20

Infant Assessment

591

Perinatal History

591

Gestational Age Assessment
The New Ballard Score

591
594

Indicators of Effective Breastfeeding
and Assessment Scales
Breastfeeding Behaviors
and Indicators
Breastfeeding Scales and Tools
Summary of Breastfeeding
Assessment Scales

598
598
598
600

Physical Assessment
Transitional Assessment
Skin
Birthmarks
Head
Ears/Eyes
Nose
Mouth
Neck
Chest
Abdomen
Genitalia
Back and Spine
Extremities
Elimination

600
600
604
605
606
606
607
607
608
608
609
609
609
609
610

Behavioral Assessment
Sleep-Wake States
Neurobehavioral Cues and Reflexes

611
614
614

Summary

616

Key Concepts

616

References

616

xvii

xviii

Breastfeeding and Human Lactation

Appendix 20-A: Infant Breastfeeding
Assessment Tool (IBFAT)

618

Appendix 20-B: LATCH
Assessment Tool

618

Appendix 20-C: Mother-Baby
Assessment Scale

619

Contraception
The Contraceptive Methods

639
639

Clinical Implications

645

Summary

647

621

Key Concepts

647

621

References

648

621

S OCIOCU LTU RAL AN D
R E S EARCH I SS U E S

SECTION 5

CHAPTER 22

Research, Theory,
and Lactation
Theories Related to Lactation Practice
Maternal Role Attainment Theory
Parent-Child Interaction Model
Bonding and Attachment Theory
Theory of Darwinian and
Evolutionary Medicine
Self-Care Theory
Self-Efficacy Theory
Theory of Planned Behavior and
Theory of Reasoned Action

628
630
632
632
637

CHAPTER 21

Fertility
The Demographic Impact
of Breastfeeding

622
623
624

Sexuality
Libido
Sexual Behavior During Lactation

Appendix 20-D: Via Christi Breastfeeding
Assessment Tool
620

Fertility, Sexuality,
and Contraception
During Lactation

Mechanisms of Action
Lactational Amenorrhea
The Suckling Stimulus
The Repetitive Nature of the Recovery
of Fertility
The Bellagio Consensus

655
655
656
656
657
657
658
658
658

Types of Research Methods
Qualitative Methods
Quantitative Methods
Additional Methods and Approaches
for Breastfeeding Research

659
659
660
662

Elements of Research
Research Problem and Purpose

663
663

Variables, Hypotheses, and
Operational Definitions
Review of Literature
Protection of the Rights of Human
Subjects
Method
Data Analysis
Application of Methods to
Qualitative Approaches
Sampling
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Trustworthiness of Qualitative Research
Application of Methods to
Quantitative Approaches
Sampling and Sample Size
Data Collection
Reliability and Validity
Data Analysis
Results, Discussion, Conclusions,
and Dissemination
Evaluating Research for Use in Practice

665
667
667
668
669
669
669
670
670
671
671
671
672
672
674
677
678

Contents

Using Research in Clinical Practice

680

Educational Needs and Early Discharge

706

Perspectives of Research Methodologies
Positivist and Postpositive Perspective
Naturalistic, Humanistic, or
Interpretive Perspective
Critical or Emancipatory Perspective

680
681

Continuing Education
Objectives and Outcomes

706
707

681
681

Summary

682

Key Concepts

683

Internet Resources

684

The Team Approach
Childbirth Educators
Nurses
Lactation Consultants
Physicians
Dietitians
Community Support Groups

708
708
708
709
709
709
709

References

684

Summary

709

Appendix 22-A: Research Terms

687

Key Concepts

710

Internet Resources

711

References

711

CHAPTER 23

Breastfeeding Education

689

CHAPTER 24

Educational Programs
Distance Learning and Web Courses

689
690

Learning Principles

690

The Cultural Context
of Breastfeeding

Adult Education

691

The Dominant Culture

714

Curriculum Development

692

Ethnocentrism Versus Relativism

714

Parent Education

692

Assessing Cultural Practices

715

Prenatal Education

694

Language Barriers

715

Early Breastfeeding Education
Continuing Support for
Breastfeeding Families

694

The Effects of Culture on Breastfeeding
Rituals and Meaning
Colostrum
Sexual Relations
Wet-Nursing
Other Practices
Contraception
Infant Care

716
719
719
719
720
720
720
721

Maternal Foods
“Hot” and “Cold” Foods
Herbs and Galactogogues

722
722
723

Weaning
Types of Weaning

723
724

Implications for Practice

725

Summary

726

Key Concepts

727

697

How Effective Is
Breastfeeding Education?

697

Teaching Strategies

698

Small Group Dynamics

700

Multimedia Presentations
Slides
Transparencies
Television, Videotapes, and DVDs
Compact Discs

700
701
701
701
702

Educational Materials
Education for At-Risk Populations
Adolescents
Older Parents

702
703
704
705

713

xix

xx

Breastfeeding and Human Lactation

Internet Resources

727

Key Concepts

742

References

727

Internet Resources

743

References

743

APPENDIXES
A. Clinical Competencies for
IBCLC Practice
B. Code of Ethics
C. Summary of Eligibility Pathway
Requirements to Become Certified
by IBLCE
D. Prototype Lactation Consultant
Job Description
E. Tables of Equivalencies and Methods
of Conversion
F. Infant Weight Conversion Table
G. Breastfeeding Weight Loss Table
H. Patient History

747

CHAPTER 25

Families

729

Family Forms and Functions

729

Family Theory

730

Social Factors that Influence
Breastfeeding

731

Fathers

733

The Adolescent Mother

736

The Low-Income Family
Lack of Information
Hospital Practices
The Importance of Peer Counselors

737
737
738
739

The Downside of Family Experience
Violence
Childhood Sexual Abuse

739
740
741

Summary

742

749
754
756
758
761
762
763
764

Glossary

773

Index

785

Figure, Table, and Box Credits

817

P R E FA C E
I have worked in the field of lactation since the
early 1960s, first as a La Leche Leader and later as
a lactation consultant when it became a professional
practice discipline in 1985. As I look back over
those years I am struck both by how different things
are now and by how much things have stayed the
same. Although the breastfeeding initiation rate in
the United States has risen to almost 70 percent––a
vast improvement from 20 percent in the 1960s!––it
still takes time and patience to help a new breastfeeding mother get her baby onto the breast.
New knowledge has changed the field. Research studies now verify that breastfed children are
more intelligent and that not breastfeeding costs the
U.S. health care system billions of dollars annually.
Because of the new awareness of the importance of
breastfeeding, the number and influence of lactation consultants has expanded. The International
Board of Lactation Consultants has certified more
than 10,000 health care workers in 36 countries.
Most hospitals, large and small, offer lactation services of some type and employ lactation consultants. Lest anyone question the powerful, positive
influence of interventions by health care workers on
breastfeeding, they only need to review the table of
intervention studies in Chapter 2. At the same time,
lest we follow that conflicted path that led to the
medicalization of childbirth, we must listen to
voices that warn of the danger of lactation consultants medicalizing infant feeding.
Other changes affect lactation practice. The insurance industry now drives the health care system,
reversing the reward system in favor of short hospital stays, which are now two days or less in the U.S.
for vaginal births. While these short stays mean that
breastfeeding mothers and babies return home less
likely to be exposed to hospital infections and to
supplementary feedings, this brief time allows almost no opportunity to ensure that the baby is
breastfeeding effectively. Mothers still needing care
themselves return home to assume full-time childcare before they feel physically able to do so. Follow-up care of a new family at home should be
universal, yet many mothers of preterm and “nearterm” breastfed infants who are developmentally

immature leave the hospital without any plan for assistance.
This text brings together in a single volume the
latest clinical techniques and research findings that
direct evidence-based clinical practice. I have been
fortunate in being able to enlist a dozen breastfeeding experts recognized around the world to help with
the writing of this extensive volume. Dr. Kathleen
Auerbach, the much-missed former co-author of this
book, remains as co-author of two chapters.
Over 1,000 research studies support the clinical
recommendations in this book. The Internet and
MEDLINE made the literature searches so much
easier for this edition––a sea of change from writing
the first two editions. The Internet also made possible quick correspondence with colleagues and
chapter authors as this book progressed. Addresses
of helpful resources on the Internet have been
added to each chapter.
Like the earlier editions, the third edition of this
text has a clear clinical focus. A new chapter on infant assessment reflects current expectations that
the health care worker working with the breastfeeding dyad can perform a total assessment of the
baby. Nearly every chapter contains a clinical implications section. Important concepts discussed
in chapters are summarized at the end of each
chapter––a new feature that will make studying easier. Throughout the book are new references
deemed by the authors to be the most important
from the vastly expanded research and clinical literature. Some older references that introduced new
ideas that are now accepted common knowledge
have been regretfully removed to make room for
new research. The glossary of key terms relating to
lactation has been expanded in this edition.
Section 1 contrasts the past and present. Chapter 1 presents the history of breastfeeding by placing lactation and breastfeeding in its historical
context. Chapter 2 fast-forwards to the work of the
present-day health care worker who specializes in
lactation and breastfeeding, and it addresses the reality of work-related issues of lactation consulting.
Section 2 focuses on basic anatomic and biologic imperatives of lactation. Clinical application of
xxi

xxii

Breastfeeding and Human Lactation

techniques must be based on a clear understanding
of the relationships between form, function, and biological constructs. Thus this section, too, provides
the background upon which to understand other aspects of lactation and breastfeeding behavior.
Section 3 is the clinical “heart” of the book that
describes the basics of what to do, when to do it, and
how to do it when one assists the lactating mother.
Section 3 thus concerns itself with the perinatal period in the birth setting and concerns during the
postpartum period following the family’s return
home—notably breast problems, neonatal jaundice,
and infant weight gain. This section also addresses
special needs of preterm babies and their mothers,
and it critically evaluates breastfeeding devices and
recommends how and when they are most appropriately used. It concludes with a review of the development and current activities of human milk
banking.
The first part of Section 4 focuses on the
mother: maternal nutrition, the mother’s health,
and returning to work. The topics then turn to the
infant and child’s health and special health needs.
The techniques of infant assessment are explained

and demonstrated with photographs in a new chapter. The section ends with a discussion of maternal
sexuality and fertility.
Section 5 begins with a careful look at research––
how it is conducted, why ongoing research is
needed, and how research findings can be applied in
clinical settings. The principles of education, the cornerstone of clinical practice, are explored next. The
book concludes with the socio-cultural context of the
breastfeeding family and explores the different ways
in which the breastfeeding family functions within
that context.
To avoid linguistic confusion, the book uses the
following conventions. The word nursing (in italics)
in the text refers to the profession. Nursing, meaning breastfeeding, is always shown in ordinary
Roman type. The masculine pronoun has been
used to denote the infant or child throughout the
text as a matter of convenience to distinguish the
child from the breastfeeding mother. Nurses, lactation consultants, and other health care workers
are referred to by feminine pronouns, although we
recognize here that males serve in all health care
professions.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I gratefully acknowledge the contributions to this
book made by the following individuals:
Judy Angeron BA, RN, IBCLC, Coordinator, Lactation Services, Via Christi Regional Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas
Kathleen G. Auerbach PhD, IBCLC, Ferndale,
Washington
Suzanne Bentley MSN, CNM, IBCLC, Clinical
Nurse Specialist, University of Kansas, Clinical Instructor, University of Kansas, School of Nursing,
Kansas City, Kansas

Kerstin Hedberg-Nyqvist PhD, RN, IBCLC, Assistant Professor in Pediatric Nursing, Department of
Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University,Uppsala, Sweden
Heather Hull MSN, PNP, Instructor, Wichita State
University, Wichita, Kansas
Voni Miller RN, IBCLC, Lactation Consultant,
Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona
Gerald Nelson MD, The University of Kansas
School of Medicine, Wichita, Kansas

Belinda Childs MN, ARNP, CDE, Clinic/Research Coordinator, Mid-America Diabetes Associates, Wichita, Kansas

Amal Omer-Salim, MSc, Nutritionist, International
Maternal and Child Health, Department of
Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

Mary Margaret Coates MS, IBCLC, TechEdit,
Wheat Ridge, Colorado

Virginia Phillips, IBCLC, Brisbane, Queensland,
Australia

Amy Ellington RN, BSN, Lactation Consultant,
Via Christi Regional Medical Center, Wichita,
Kansas

Christina M Smillie MD, FAAP, IBCLC, Breastfeeding Resources, Stratford, Connecticut

Barbara Gabbert-Bacon, La Leche League, Wichita, Kansas
Lenore Goldfarb, B.Comm, B.Sc, IBCLC, Herzl
Family Practice Centre, Sir Mortimer B. DavisJewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec,
Canada
Robert T. Hall MD, Professor, Children’s Mercy
Hospital and Clinics, Kansas City, Missouri
Eileen Hawkins MSN, ARNP, Wichita State University, School of Nursing, Wichita, Kansas

I am especially grateful to La Leche League International for providing the foundation for my breastfeeding education and to those institutions which
encouraged and supported me in writing the book:
the School of Nursing, Wichita State University,
and Via Christi Regional Medical Center, both of
Wichita, Kansas.
Finally, thanks to my family: Hugh, Michael,
Neil and Shirley, Brian, Quinn and Rika Riordan,
Teresa Riordan and Richard Chenoweth, Renee
and Don Olmstead and our 11 (breastfed) grandchildren.

xxiii

CHAPTER AUTHORS
Kathleen G. Auerbach, PhD, IBCLC
Ferndale, Washington
Lois D. W. Arnold, PhD (C.), MPH, IBCLC
National Commission on Donor Milk Banking
East Sandwich, Massachusetts
Debi Leslie Bocar, PhD, RN, IBCLC
Perinatal Educator, Mercy Health Center
Director, Lactation Consultant Services
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Yvonne Bronner, ScD, RD, LD
Professor and Director, Public Health Program
Morgan State University
Baltimore, Maryland
Mary Margaret Coates, MS, IBCLC
TechEdit
Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Lawrence M. Gartner, MD
Professor Emeritus
Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics/
Gynecology
The University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Kathy Gill-Hopple, MSN, RN
Instructor
Wichita State University, School of Nursing
Wichita, Kansas
Thomas W. Hale, PhD, RPH
Professor of Pediatrics
Texas Tech University, School of Medicine
Amarillo, Texas
Marguerite Herschel, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Medical Director, General Care Nursery
The University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Roberta J. Hewat, PhD, RN, IBCLC
Associate Professor
University of British Columbia,
School of Nursing,
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
xxiv

Kay Hoover, MEd, IBCLC
Philadelphia Department of Public Health
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nancy Hurst, RN, MSN, IBCLC
Director, Lactation Program and Mother’s Own
Milk Bank
Texas Children’s Hospital
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Kathy I. Kennedy, MA, Dr.PH
Director, Regional Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership,
University of Denver Associate Clinical Professor
of Preventive Medicine,
University of Colorado Health Sciences
Denver, Colorado
Mary Koehn, PhD, RN, MSN
Assistant Professor
Wichita State University, School of Nursing
Wichita, Kansas
Paula Meier, DNSc, RN, FAAN
NICU Lactation Program Director, Department of
Maternal-Child Nursing,
Associate Director for Clinical Research,
Section of Neonatology,
Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke’s Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois
Sallie Page-Goertz, MN, CPNP, IBCLC
Assistant Clinical Professor,
KU Children’s Center/Kansas University School
of Medicine
Overland Park, Kansas
Nancy Powers, MD
Medical Director, Lactation Services
Pediatrix Medical Group
Wesley Medical Center
Wichita, Kansas

Chapter Authors

Wailaiporn Rojjanasrirat, PhD, MSN
Research Assistant Professor
University of Kansas, School of Nursing
Kansas City, Kansas
Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre Ltd.
Dayton, Ohio

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Lactation Associates
Executive Director, National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy
Research, Education, and Legal Branch
Weston, Massachusetts
Karen Wambach, PhD, RN, IBCLC
Assistant Professor
University of Kansas, School of Nursing
Kansas City, Kansas

xxv

This page intentionally left blank

S E C T I O N

1
Historical and Work Perspectives
Just as the breastfeeding course flows and ebbs in
a woman’s life, so breastfeeding has experienced
flows and ebbs through the centuries. It takes a village to return to breastfeeding, and community-based
programs that promote breastfeeding are successfully
and steadily increasing the rate of breastfeeding
around the world.
As more mothers choose to breastfeed, the need for
specialized help increases also. The visibility and acceptance of lactation consulting as an allied health
profession offers opportunities for practice in hospitals, the community, and in private practice. Randomized clinical trials consistently demonstrate that
lactation consultant services lengthen a mother’s
breastfeeding course and save money through healthier mothers and babies.

1

This page intentionally left blank

C

H

A

P

T

E

R

1
Tides in Breastfeeding Practice
Mary Margaret Coates and Jan Riordan

Throughout the world today, an infant is apt to receive less breastmilk than at any time in the past.
Until the 1940s, the prevalence of breastfeeding
was high in nearly all societies. Although the feeding of manufactured milks and baby milks had
begun before the turn of the century in parts of Europe and North America, the practice spread slowly
during the next decades. It was still generally limited to segments of population elites, and it involved only a small percentage of the world’s
people. During the post–World War II era, however, the way in which most mothers in industrialized regions fed their infants began to change, and
the export of these new practices to developing nations was underway.

Evidence About Breastfeeding
Practices
How do we know what we “know” about the prevalence of breastfeeding? (The word prevalence is used
here to mean the combined effect of breastfeeding
initiation rates and breastfeeding continuance rates.)
Before attempting to trace trends in infant feeding
practices, let us consider the nature of the evidence.

Large-Scale Surveys
National surveys that produce the kind of representative data that allow statistical evaluation have been
available only since 1955. These surveys consist primarily of national fertility or natality surveys and of
marketing surveys conducted by manufacturers of
artificial baby milk. For most, exclusive breastfeeding is not a separate statistic. However, the percentage of exclusive breastmilk feedings at hospital
discharge can be found in state birth certificate databases (Feldman-Winter et al., 2002). A brief description of national surveys conducted in the United
States follows (Grummer-Strawn & Li, 2000):






National Health Interview Survey: A personal interview is conducted in 43,000 households.
Questions about incidence and duration of
breastfeeding are asked.
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(NHANES): Breastfeeding data are periodically
collected from personal interviews in the home.
National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG): Personal interviews are conducted every 6 years.
Standard questions on incidence, duration, and
exclusivity are included.

3

4

Historical and Work Perspectives









Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System (PedNSS):
Statistics of breastfeeding incidence and duration
in low-income populations are collected in public health clinics and reported annually. National,
state, county, and clinic data are analyzed.
WIC Participant Characteristics Study: Data on
breastfeeding are collected each even-numbered year by the Department of Agriculture.
Ross Laboratories Mothers Survey: Questionnaires
are mailed to new mothers whose names are
obtained from a national sample of hospitals
and physicians. For marketing purposes, data
on type of milk fed is collected for up to 12
months for a given cohort. Data are published
on an ad hoc basis. The survey currently functions as a baseline and monitoring data source
for breastfeeding goals in Healthy People 2010.
Mead-Johnson Longitudinal Study of Infant Feeding
Practices: For marketing purposes, a panel of infants is followed for 12 months. Data is collected on incidence of, duration of, and
changes in breastfeeding frequencies.

Outside the United States, representative data
for countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the
Middle East are derived from three sources. World
Fertility Surveys are sponsored by the Office of
Population within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, and the United
Kingdom Office of Development Assistance (Lightbourne, Singh, & Green, 1982). The World Health
Organization began ongoing surveys on infant
feeding in the mid-1970s. Its Global Data Bank on
Breast-Feeding pools information garnered from
well-designed nutrition and breastfeeding surveys
around the world; on the basis of these data, breastfeeding practices are periodically summarized. The
most recent summary appeared in 2000 (WHO,
2000). Finally, demographic and health surveys
were initiated in 1984; these ongoing surveys are
sponsored jointly by USAID and governments of
host countries in which the surveys are made.

Other Evidence
Until the last several decades, breastfeeding was the
unremarkable norm. Thus what we “know” about

breastfeeding from much earlier times often must be
inferred from evidence of other methods of feeding
infants. Most historical material available in Englishlanguage literature derives from a rather limited geographic area: Western Europe, Asia Minor, the
Middle East, and North Africa. Written materials,
which include verses, legal statutes, religious tracts,
personal correspondence, inscriptions, and medical
literature, extend back to before 2000 BC.
Some of the earliest existing medical literature
deals at least in passing with infant feeding. An
Egyptian medical encyclopedia, the Papyrus Ebers
(c. 1500 BC), contains recommendations for increasing a mother’s milk supply (Fildes, 1986). The first
writings to discuss infant feeding in detail are those
of the physician Soranus, who practiced in Rome
around AD 100; his views were widely repeated by
other writers until the mid-1700s. It is not immediately apparent to what degree these early exhortations either reflected or influenced actual practices.
Many writings before AD 1800 deal primarily with
wet nurses or how to hand-feed infants.
Archeological evidence provides some information about infant feeding prior to 2000 BC. Some of
the earliest artifacts are Middle Eastern pottery figurines that depict lactating goddesses, such as Ishtar
of Babylon and Isis of Egypt. The abundance of this
evidence suggests that lactation was held in high regard (Fildes, 1986). Such artifacts first appear in sites
about 3000 BC, when pottery making first became
widespread in that region. Information about infant
feeding may also be derived from paintings, inscriptions, and infant feeding implements.
Modern ethnography has a place of special importance. By documenting the infant feeding practices of present-day nontechnological hunter-gatherer, herding, and farming societies, ethnographers
expand our knowledge of the range of normal breastfeeding practices. At the same time, they provide a
richer appreciation of cultural practices that enhance
the prevalence of breastfeeding. Such studies are also
our best window into breastfeeding practices that
may be the biological norm for Homo sapiens sapiens.
In summary, the historical aspect of this chapter
deals with limited data from a limited social stratum in
a limited geographic region. However, the common
threads of these data provide a useful context within
which we may better understand modern breastfeeding practices, especially in Western cultures.

Tides in Breastfeeding Practice

The Biological Norm in Infant Feeding
Early Human Evolution
The class Mammalia is characterized principally by
the presence of breasts (mammae), which secrete
and release a fluid that for a time is the sole nourishment of the young. This manner of sustaining
newborns is extremely ancient; it dates back to the
late Mesozoic era, some 100 million years ago. (See
Figure 1–1.) Hominid precursors first appeared
about 4 million years ago; the genus Homo has existed for about 2 million years. The currently dominant human species, Homo sapiens sapiens, has
existed for perhaps 40,000 years. Information about
breastfeeding practices among our earliest ancestors is uncertain, although other information about
Paleolithic societies that existed 10,000 or more
years ago sheds light on this subject.

Early Breastfeeding Practices
Diets reconstructed by archeological methods reveal that the Late Paleolithic era, roughly 40,000 to

10,000 years ago, was populated by pre-agricultural
peoples who ate a wide variety of fruits, nuts, vegetables, meat (commonly small game), fish, and
shellfish. This diet closely resembles that of twentieth-century hunter-gatherer societies. Therefore,
the infant-feeding practices of societies today may
reflect breastfeeding practices of much earlier (prehistoric) times. Consider the breastfeeding practices
of the ¡Kung of the Kalahari Desert in southern
Africa (Konner & Worthman, 1980) as well as
hunter-gatherer societies of Papua New Guinea and
elsewhere (Short, 1984). Among these people,
breastfeeding of young infants is frequent (averaging four feeds per hour) and short (about 2 minutes
per feed). It is equally distributed over a 24-hour
period and continues, tapering off gradually, for
two to six years. These breastfeeding patterns are
considered a direct inheritance of practices that prevailed at the end of a long, and dietetically stable,
evolutionary period that ended about 10,000 BC.
This assumption is supported by observations of the
human’s closest primate relative, the chimpanzee,
which secretes a milk quite similar to that of humans, suckles several times per hour, and sleeps
with and nurses its young at night (Short, 1984).

The Replacement of Maternal

Dokumen yang terkait