BIRTH LENGTH

 Measured from heel to ear

 45-55 cm -normal
WEIGHT
 A thin cloth is place on the weighing scale before
taking the weight to protect the newborn from heat
loss.
 Normal – 2,500 g – 4,000g
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE
 Measure the occipito frontal diameter
 32-36 cm
 Microcephaly – small head
 Macrocephaly – large head
 Hydrocephaly – widely separated suture lines
CHEST CIRCUMFERENCE
 Measure at the nipple line
 It should not exceed the head circumference
 Normal – 30-33 cm
ABDOMINAL CIRCUMFERENCE
 Measured above the umbilical cord
LACTATION
 After the mother gives birth, there is fall in estrogen and
progesterone levels which triggers the release of
PROLACTIN by the anterior pituitary gland.
 PROLACTIN prepares the breast to secrete milk.
 It is produced in response as the infant suck and
emptying of the breast.
 Milk production is a supply- meets- demand system.
 OXYTOCIN is another hormone essential for lactation
which is produced by sucking. The posterior pituitary
gland is prompted by the hypothalamus to produce
oxytocin which is responsible for MER (milk ejection
reflex) or let-down reflex
 OXYTOCIN stimulates uterine contraction which
decreases the risk for postpartum hemmorhage
BENEFITS OF BREAST FEEDING
 It enhances maturation of the GIT and contains immune factors that contribute to lower
incidences of gastroenteritis, lymphoma and obesity.
 It contains specific antibodies and well –mediated immunologic factors that help protect
against otitis media, respiratory illnesses (pnemonia), UTI and bacterial meningitis
 Lower incidence of certain allergies
 It may have protective effect against childhood lymphoma and insulin- dependent
diabetes
 It enhances cognitive development
 It has analgesic effect for infants undergoing painful procedures
 It promotes uterine involution
 Mothers who are breastfeeeding tend to return to their prepregnant weight more quickly.
 It may provide some protection against development of osteoporosis
 It provides a unique bonding experience
 It is convenient
 It saves money
CONTRAINDICATIONS OF
BREASTFEEDING
 Maternal cancer therapy or diagnostic and therapeutic
use of radioactive isotopes
 Active tuberculosis
 HIV infection (mother)
 Maternal lesion on the breast
 Galactosemia
 Maternal substance abuse (cocaine, marijuana,
methamphenamine)
 Maternal human T- cell leukemia
NUTRIENTS PRESENT IN Breast Milk
ENERGY
 It provides 67 kcal/100 ml
 Infants needs approx. 110kcal/kg/day
Carbohydrates
 Lactose – the most abundant carbohydrates which
provides calories in easy available form.
Fats
 It is easier to digest and absorb than in cow’s milk.
 It also furnishes EFA’s (Essential Fatty Acids) which are
cell membrane components and precursors of some
hormones. Lack of EFA’s result in eczema and growth
failure
Protein
 It contains more lactalbumin which is easily digested
in relation to casein found in cow’s milk.
Fluids
 It contains 87% of water which easily meet fluid
requirements
 Fluid requirement of an infant is approx. 100-140
ml/kg body wt/day
 Feeding water to infants may cause water toxicity with
resulting hyponatremia and seizures.
Vitamins
 It contains all vitamins required for infant nutrition
 Vitamin A, B complex, C and E are added to milk
formulas to approximate level in breast milk
 Vitamin D is deficient in BM
Minerals
 Calcium and phosporus ration is 2:1 which is optimal
for bone mineralization
 Iron in BM is better absorbed than in cow’s milk
 Flouride levels in both BM and CM are low. (Flouride
supplementation should be considered)
 Young infants fed with cow’s milk are at risk for
hypocalcemia, tetany and seizures.