The benefits of breastfeeding in hospitalized babies
Breast milk is the first food that babies take. There are many benefits for him and for the mother. However, there are situations that may make women think about whether to continue breastfeeding the child, such as the child being admitted. Is there any kind of contraindication? Can it interfere with the use of any medication if you breastfeed?
From the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, AEP, it is explained that if in the case that the baby admitted is being fed with lactation maternal, the recommended thing is to continue breastfeeding in the hospital. A way to ensure a food with multiple benefits for the child and to reassure the mother by keeping close to her child.
Benefits of breastfeeding
The message of AEP is clear, the admission of a baby in the hospital is not a reason to stop breastfeeding. That is why he reminds mothers of the benefits of lactation, which provides an important part of the calories needed in these ages and is positioned as the best option in case of illness in the little one not only for its nutrients.
It also provides a large amount of fluid, antibodies and living cells that help the baby's defenses and shorten the duration of most of the infections. Breastfeeding also means acting against pain, both caused by the disease itself and by invasive procedures, such as blood tests, introduction of probes, in children
Being in the arms of the mother, the child feels comforted and calm during hospitalization. In addition, the act of sucking is a relaxing practice for the baby. On the other hand, in cases where there is a risk of dehydration, it is also recommended to maintain the chest in the child to be able to give him a sustenance of liquid in these situations, especially when the illness is accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting.
In case of operation
From AEP it is remembered that in case the baby needs to go through operating theater, these can take breast milk, not other foods or types of milk, until 3 or 4 hours before the operation without increasing the anesthetic risk. In addition, thanks to this decision infants arrive calmer to the operating room if the fast is not very long.
However, AEP recommends that you inquire about the procedure and the protocol of the hospital before deciding and agreeing with the medical staff. At the same time there is a series of guidelines at the time of receiving the news of the deposit:
- Upon admission to the hospital, comment to the health staff what the mother's desire is with regard to the child's feeding.
- Request a breast pump or ask for a breastfeeding room in case it is necessary to skip a feeding or empty the breast.
- Take the child in his arms, caress him and give him pampering if he can not eat.
- When you can eat, offer breast on demand (unless there is a special reason that contraindicates).
- If you have more than 6 months, when you improve you will go asking for other foods.
- The stay in a hospital and the concern for the health of a child can be distressing for parents. It is important to trust the healthcare staff and resolve all doubts by asking all the questions that are necessary. Finally, it is important that parents also rest and do not hesitate to ask for help from their surroundings if they need it.
Damián Montero
