The health benefits of breastfeeding are well known; the majority of women in the UK express a desire to breastfeed. However, by 8 weeks of age, only 40% of babies are receiving any breastmilk. Many reasons are given for discontinuing, but GPs, as a primary contact for women concerned about breastfeeding, are often able to identify problems. The aim of this article is to explore what constitutes successful breastfeeding, common concerns expressed by mothers, the pathologies with which they present to GPs and how breastfeeding fits into a holistic picture of postnatal health.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AmirLH (2014) Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine: Clinical protocol #4: Mastitis. Breastfeeding Medicine9(5): 239–243. DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2014.9984.
2.
AndersonJEHeldNWrightK (2004) Raynaud’s phenomenon of the nipple: A treatable cause of painful breastfeeding. Pediatrics113(4): e360–e364. DOI: 10.1542/peds. 113.4.e360.
3.
BarrettMHellerMMStoneHF, et al.(2013) Dermatoses of the breast in lactation. Dermatologic Therapy26(4): 331–336. DOI: 10.1111/dth.12071.
4.
DennisCLJacksonKWatsonJ (2014) Interventions for treating painful nipples among breastfeeding women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews12. art. no.: CD007366. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007366.pub2.
5.
DixonJM (2013) Breast infection. BMJ347. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.f3291.
6.
Donovan TJ and Buchanan K (2012) Medications for increasing milk supply in mothers expressing breastmilk for their hospitalised infants. Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews. Issue 3. Art. No.CD005544. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005544.pub2.
GP Infant Feeding Network (n.d) GP infant feeding network. Available at: https://gpifn.org.uk/(accessed 20 May 2019).
9.
HopkinsonJMSchanlerRJFraleyJK, et al.(1992) Milk production by mothers of premature infants: Influence of cigarette smoking. Pediatrics90(6): 934–938.
10.
JimenezEArroyoRCardenasN, et al.(2017) Mammary candidiasis: A medical condition without scientific evidence?PLoS One12(7): ) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181071.
Lawlor-SmithLLawlor-SmithC (1995) Vasospasm of the nipple—a manifestation of Raynaud's phenomenon: Case reports. The British Medical Journal314: 644–645. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.314.7081.644.
13.
LodgeCTanDJLauMXZ, et al.(2015) Breastfeeding and asthma and allergies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Paediatrica104: 38–53. DOI: 10.1111/apa.13132.
14.
McClellanHGeddesDTKentJC, et al.(2008) Infants of mothers with persistent nipple pain exert strong sucking vacuums. Acta Paediatrica97(9): 1205–1209. DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00882.x.
SankarMJBireshwarSChowdhuryR, et al.(2015) Optimal breastfeeding practices and infant and child mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Paediatrica104(S467): 3–13. DOI: 10.1111/apa.13147.
25.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol Committee (2011) ABM clinical protocol #9: Use of galactogogues in initiating or augmenting the rate of maternal milk secretion (first revision January 2011). Breastfeeding Medicine 6(1): 41–49. DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2011.9998.
VictoraCBahlRBarrosAJD, et al.(2016) Breastfeeding in the 21st century: Epidemiology, mechanisms. The Lancet387(10017): 475–490. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7.
30.
WagnerEAChantryCJDeweyKG, et al.(2013) Breastfeeding concerns at 3 and 7 days postpartum and feeding status at 2 months. Pediatrics132(4): e865–875. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2013-0724.
