Breast milk is essential even for the most critically ill newborns

The development of modern medicine provides the opportunity for the smallest and most vulnerable newborns to receive the necessary nutrition, especially when they struggle with birth defects. Thanks to the extraordinary benefits of breast milk, it can contribute to improving children’s health and aid in their recovery. Breast milk is not only nutritious but also provides immune protection, which is particularly important for newborns with compromised health. For these children, who often require surgical intervention, proper nutrition can be crucial during their recovery.

Challenges of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding often presents serious challenges for mothers, especially if their child has special needs. To promote breastfeeding, it is important for healthcare personnel to support mothers, as learning to breastfeed is not always straightforward. Strengthening the bond between the mother and newborn, as well as mastering the proper techniques, can facilitate the breastfeeding process, which may also lead to improvements in the child’s health.

The Benefits of Breast Milk for Newborns with Severe Defects

Breast milk is extremely rich in nutrients, immunoglobulins, and enzymes that help develop the child’s immune system. This is particularly important for newborns living with severe birth defects, who are more susceptible to infections and other health complications. Breast milk provides protection against bacterial and viral infections, thereby reducing the length of hospital stays for children.

Difficulties during feeding, such as the inability to suck, can arise from the severity of the child’s condition. It can often be frustrating for mothers that they cannot feed their child directly in the usual way. This is where the importance of professional support comes into play, as ensuring access to breast milk and promoting breastfeeding can increase children’s chances of a quicker recovery.

Supporting Mothers During Breastfeeding

Support for mothers during breastfeeding is a key factor that can significantly influence the success of breastfeeding. The training provided by healthcare professionals aims to enable mothers to feed their children confidently and effectively, especially when the children struggle with birth defects. Professional guidance allows mothers to master the correct milk expression techniques.

Physical contact is particularly important for mothers, as it reduces stress for both the child and the mother. Holding the child and skin-to-skin contact strengthens the parent-child bond, contributing to the child’s well-being. In addition to emotional support, practical advice can also help overcome difficulties that arise during breastfeeding.

Programs in hospitals aimed at fostering closer connections between mothers and children are becoming increasingly popular. Preparing for breastfeeding not only promotes the success of feeding but also contributes to increasing parents’ confidence. Based on experiences, mothers participating in these programs have successfully breastfed, significantly improving the health status of their children.

All these approaches and forms of support contribute to ensuring that newborns with severe birth defects receive the best possible start in life. The benefits of breast milk and the support of mothers play a key role in the recovery and development of children.