Point out some Guidelines for breast-feeding?

1) Follow demand feeding of the baby instead of a fixed schedule.

2) Initiate breast-feeding within 2 h after a normal delivery and 4-6 hours after a cesarean delivery.

3) Avoid honey, glucose and water supplements, dilute, milk formula as these could be sources of infection and impede sucking reflex of body.

4) Mother herself should avoid tobacco, alcohol and consumption of drugs during lactation.

5) Mother should not breast-feed in case of breast abscess, cracked nipples, fevers, serious diseases, anaemia, tuberculosis etc. However, in HIVIAIDS, the mother is recommended to breast-feed even though she transmits the disease. HIV/ AIDS baby is medicated and needs medical attention. On the other hand, if baby is not breast-fed, morbidity and mortality is high in these infants.

6) Mother should maintain utmost hygiene especially of breast, nipples and handling baby while feeding. She should nourish herself well with iron, calcium and vitamins A and B complex supplements, as their levels' improve in her milk.

7) Mother should maintain a correct posture, alveolar position and breathing space while breast-feeding.

8) Infants should be exclusively breast fed till 6 months of age. Breast-feeding can continue till 1-2 years but complementary foods should start by 6 months especially to meet iron needs and energy needs for rapid growth needs.

9) Complete immunization should be reinforced even if the child has fever, restlessness etc. After immunization, breast-feeding should continue. Breast- feeding should also continue even if there is diarrhoea.

10) Breast-feeding must be continued essentially up to 2 years.